Activists observe 'Black Day' against Nethravati diversion, warn of Telangana model agitation

Mangalore, Mar 3: Amidst tight security, several protestors led by Karavali Jeevanadi Nethravati Samrakshana Samiti including former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty, P V Mohan, M G Hegde and T K Sudhir demonstrated against the Yettinahole (Nethravati diversion), at Hampankatta junction here on Monday.

As a mark of their protest, the demonstrators burnt copies of the detailed project report (DPR) on the proposed Yettinahole project, and observed a black day ' in view of the foundation-laying of the project in Chikkaballapur district on the same day.

A self-declared bandh was observed by the Samiti members, which saw good response throughout the entire district.

Interestingly, most of the protesters were Congress leaders and activists of Dakshina Kannada and they lashed out at senior Congress leaders like union minister M Veerappa Moily for supporting the controversial project.

Addressing the demonstrators, Vijaykumar Shetty said that the bandh was one of the most significant in the history of Dakshina Kannada, which witnessed extensive support from all quarters. There is no doubt that this was the most successful bandh in the district, he said, adding that the struggle to save Nethravati river would continue with intense measures in the coming days.

Bandh, a warning to CM

One of the activists P V Mohan, who expressed his objection to the project, told reporters earlier that the self-declared bandh was only the beginning of their long protest against the Nethravati diversion project.

Now, the people of Dakshina Kannada are finally awakening to the reality of the Yettinahole project. However, vested politicians do not heed the cry of the people. It is time that the chief minister is made aware of our objection to the project. The struggle to save Nethravati river should prolong in the manner of powerful protests made by people for the cause of Telangana, he said.

When asked about the silence of ministers hailing from the district on the Yettinahole project, he said that the three local ministers had already submitted dissent notes to the government in this regard.

“The district-wide bandh is a warning to the state government. If the government still does not heed our demand, we will undertake a Jail bharo ' protest in coming days,” he said.