Mangaluru, Mar 17: Over 200 members of 36 organisations sat on a one-day hunger strike in front of the district office complex here on Thursday opposing the Yettinahole water diversion project. They also warned of intensifying the agitation if the government does not stop the project.
Addressing the agitating members, fisherman leader Ramachandra Baikampady said from now on people would start asking their elected representatives about their stand on the project, and they would not hesitate to boycott elections, if need be, to prevent the project. He said if the government goes ahead with the project, a day will come when Netravathi becomes completely dry.
He chided the residents of Daksina Kannada for not waking up to protest against the lurking danger.
M.G. Hegde, another activist, said the movement would be taken forward apolitically. There would be no name calling and accusations — for instance, that the project was approved by D.V. Sadananda Gowda, implemented by M. Veerappa Moily, etc.
Workers of all political parties have come together to fight against the project, he said.
Mr. Hegde later told reporters that the participating organisations have planned a Maha Sankalpa Day' at Town Hall. The date is yet to be finalised. If the government does not backtrack even after that event, which is expected to be attended by thousands, the organisations plan to ask people to voluntarily “shut down the district”, he said.
Fr. J.B. Crasta, representing the church, Easha Vittaladasa Swami of Kemar and BJP leader Jagadish Adhikari were among those present.
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