Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Updated
Mangaluru, Feb 9: Protesters supported by various organizations continued with their protests on Thursday against the collection of toll charges at Talapady tollgate, which became functional on Wednesday morning. On account of protests, situation at the spot turned tense. Even after the police resorted to light caning, the angry protesters stood their ground. They decided to temporarily withdraw the protest, only after Navayuga company representatives made certain promises.
Protesters are opposing the beginning of operations at the of the tollgate in spite of the fact that a number of problems connected with highway expansion have not been addressed. Organizations from both Karnataka and Kerala, both political and otherwise, have been leading these protests. United Democratic Front Manjeshwar, SDPI Manjeshwar and Ullal block, supported the protest. Manjeshwar MLA, Abdul Razack, too appeared on behalf of United Democratic Front and demanded stoppage of toll collection as road works have not been completed.
When the protesters tried to stop movement of vehicles, policemen dispersed them by waving their batons. When the protest being held by Gadinadu Rakshana Vedike and SDPI workers turned for the worse, policemen tried to arrest the leaders, but the crowd stopped them from doing so. This gave rise to exchange of heated words.
Police personnel have been maintaining law and order at the place. Additional contingents of Karnataka State Reserve Police Force have been deployed as reinforcement to tackle the situation at Talapady in view of presence of large number of protesters. Congress, which had led two earlier protests against toll collection, has also joined the protest now, saying that Navayuga company, which has been executing the highway expansion project, has overlooked different long-pending demands and started toll collection unilaterally.
Non-completion of service roads and highway works, not providing employment to locals etc are the reasons cited by the agitators. They have also been demanding for the removal of some employees hired to manage the tollgate, who they say, have criminal antecedents.
Navayuga manager, Bhanuprakash, assured to stop collection of toll till 6 pm for local vehicles, adding that further decision will be taken after holding discussions with the concerned. At this the protesters relented and withdrew protest.