Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Nov 16: People came together and blocked Saligrama town panchayat from going ahead in the matter of building its dumping yard in Ulthoor village in the taluk on Wednesday November 15. The people took to task chief officer of Saligrama town panchayat, R Sripad.
Saligrama town panchayat has bought about two and half acres of land in Ulthoor village for the purpose of constructing its dumping yard. Local people have been strongly opposing the proposal to set up dumping yard here since long. Saligrama town panchayat which approached the court on this issue, has obtained approval of the court and visited the spot on Wednesday to begin dumping yard work. The people who came to know of this plan, held protest under the leadership of Kedoor gram panchayat president, Sampath Kumar Shetty.
The people have been saying that seven years back, the plot that is located in residential area, was unscientifically earmarked for the dumping yard.
Police circle inspector from Brahmavar, Srikanth, who came to the spot, told the people that the work should be allowed to go on as it is supported by court order. He warned that not allowing it would amount to transgression of court order. But the people were not prepared to listen. Kedoor gram panchayat president, Sampath Kumar Shetty, contended that Saligrama town panchayat officials had not furnished any court order to Kedoor panchayat relating to this work. He also asked the concerned to produce piece of evidence to prove that permission from local administration need not be obtained to undertake government work under its jurisdiction. Failure of officials to produce any document angered the people further.
Police circle inspector, Srikanth, warned the villagers that legal action would be taken if they do not allow the work to go on as per court order. But the people who said that the government does not have the right to snatch away their right to live here, pledged not to allow construction of dumping yard in the village. They forcibly sent back the backhoe that had been brought to the area for this work.
Deputy superintendent of police, Kumaraswamy, also visited the spot.