Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (DC)

Udupi, Oct 31: MLA Raghupati Bhat who is supporting protesters against ban on sand extraction in the district has called for a dawn to dusk bandh on November 10.

Addressing a press meet, Raghupati Bhat said that they will continue their protest until the district administration permits sand extraction in CRZ and non-CRZ areas. "On November 8, election code of conduct will come to an end. So we have decided to hold bandh on November 10 demanding the district administration to solve sand extraction row."

"Despite protests in front of the DC's office, they have not taken any action. Hence, we have decided to call for district bandh, he added.

Sudhakar Amin, Udupi zilla Sand and Boat Workers Association said, “An emergency meeting was held on October 30, in front of DC office, Manipal. As many as 165 members were present in the meeting out of 170 license holders. All license holders extract sand for their livelihood. All license holders’ licenses must be renewed at a time.”

The protest is in progress from the last seven days against ban on sand extraction.

Lalaji Mendon, Kaup MLA, Shyamala Kundar, BJP state secretary, Shilpa Suvarna, Raghavendra Shetty, Vishwanath, Gunakar, Praveen Kumar Alevoor, president, District Lorry and Tempo Owners’ Association, Annayya Nayak, PWD Contractors’ Association, Srikrishna Rao Kodancha, Udaya Hegde, Karkala, Ansar Ahmed, district president, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Sudir Shetty, Ddistrict Builders’ Association Ganapati Shriyana, Gururaj, Gopal Bhat, Gopalachar, Chandra Poojary, Narayan, Shridhar Shetty, Manjayya Shetty, Tulunada Rakshana Vedike members, various hardware, interlock, welding, fabrication and painters’ association members were present.