Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Mar 19: Despite strong opposition from localities against dumping of waste at Sajipanadu village in Kanchinadka Padav, Bantwal municipal council went ahead with its decision and dumped dry waste in the dumping yard.
Gram panchayat president (GP) Mohammed Nasir and others who opposed the dumping were detained by the police.
The municipal council had tried several times to dispose of trash at Kanchinadka Padav dumping yard. But it was not possible due to opposition from local people. However, Mangaluru assistant commissioner Madan Mohan in a recent meeting had directed municipal council officials to dispose the trash in the dumping yard from March 16.
However, Sajipanadu villagers who are opposing the move demanded that houses, schools and anganwadis in the dumping yard vicinity should be shifted. People need to be accommodated to another place before dumping of waste begins, they said.
The villagers had threatened to stop the lorry carrying trash, if their demands are not met. Under such circumstances, Bantwal municipal council dumped the waste taking security from more than 100 police personnel.
Heated arguments
More than 100 people, including women and children had gathered in front of dumping yard gate. Initially, the villagers confronted municipal council officials who had arrived to persuade the villagers. The villagers said that the municipal council has cheated them by not fulfilling assurances made to them since the last ten years. They said that they will allow trash to be dumped only after the work begins.
Meanwhile, rural police station inspector Prasanna, police circle inspector T D Nagaraj and DySP Valentine D’ Souza tried to make the villagers change their mind. But, they did not relent. At this juncture, heated arguments took place between the police and protesters. Finally, police forcefully took the protesters who were blocking the lorry into custody. Police arrested 30 protesters including Sajipanadu gram panchayat president Mohammed Nasir. Police personnel also dispersed women who were sitting with children as a protest in front of the lorry carrying trash.
“The municipal council without making alternative arrangements to protect the health of villagers is pushing their decision on people by force. A complaint in this connection will be submitted to the deputy commissioner and zilla panchayat CEO,” said Sajipanadu gram panchayat president Mohammed Nasir.