Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Apr 21: Under the leadership of a number of organizations, affected citizens numbering around 500, resenting the sluggishness of Mani-Mysore state highway expansion works, staged a protest by blocking the highway at Kumbra near here for over an hour on Wednesday April 20. They erected road blocks there and prevented vehicles from moving either way.

The people are angry that the highway, which was dug up about eight months back for expansion, is not being properly laid, and that the work of asphalting is being unnecessarily delayed. They also protested against the neglect shown by the people’s representatives towards their plight. Citizens of villages like Kedambady, Olamogru, Ariyadka, and Aryapu participated in the protest.

Those who addressed the protestors alleged that the contractors and officials, meetings with whom were held thrice in the past to hasten the road work, have shown utter disregard to their woes. They said that they have lost patience, and that the agitation will be continued till the road is fully repaired. They warned of filing criminal cases against the road contractors for creating nuisance for the people.  Various leaders including presidents and members of a number of gram panchayats participated.

The protestors heckled MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, when he arrived on the spot with MLA, Mallika Prasad, taluk panchayat president, Shambhu Bhat, and constituency BJP committee president, Gopalakrishna Herle, and others, and asked the protestors to hand him over a petition. “We are not here to deliver lectures or hand over petitions. You may contact the contractors and officials and tell us when the road work will be completed,” said Sullia block Congress president, Venkappa Gowda. Puttur block Congress president, Kavu Hemanath Shetty, too took the MP to task, supported by several other protestors. Several BJP supporters, who were on the spot, took the side of the MP. Sensing that the situation was turning tense, the MP made an exit. Before going, he summoned engineers, Manjunath, Beereshwar Babu, and Riaz Ahmed, and warned them that they will face the ire of the people if they continue to dole out empty promises and conduct road work at a snail’s pace.