Yettinahole protest: Call for district bandh on May 19

The Nethravathi Rakshana Samyukta Samiti has given a call for district bandh on May 19, to urge the state government to drop Yettinahole project.

In a meeting held at Arya Samaja in Mangaluru on Wednesday, leaders of various organisations were of the unanimous opinion that a district bandh has become inevitable to wake up the government.

M G Hegde, Nethravathi Rakshana Samyukta Samiti convener, alleged that the State government has completely neglected the concerns of the people of Dakshina Kannada and has not convened a meeting of experts from the district to discuss the pros and cons of the Yettinahole project. Already, some of the water sources of Yettinahole have been destroyed. The project will convert Dakshina Kannada into a parched district, he said.

Vijayakumar Shetty, Nethravathi Rakshana Samyukta Samiti president, said that the fight against Yettinahole is being carried out irrespective of party barriers. “The judgment of the case filed at the National Green Tribunal by the Samiti is on April 28. Most of the elected representatives have not opposed the project. It is unfortunate that the ministers from our own district have not opposed the Yettinahole project,” he expressed disappointment.

“Although the Zilla Panchayat and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) passed a resolution against the Yettinahole project, the government has neglected it, which will be an injustice to the future generations. The movement, however, will be carried out to urge the government to drop the project,” he said, adding that he is ready to be arrested in the fight against the project. “The government is compelling us to place the demand for a separate Tulunadu, comprising DK, Udupi and Kodagu, will be kept,” he said.

Kemaru Mutt seer Isha Vitthaladasa Swami called upon the people to take to the streets and oppose Yettinahole project.  Billava Mahasabha representative Harikrishna Bantwal said that in the days to come, the anti-Yettinahole fights will take shape of a great revolution.

Bishop’s House PRO Fr William; Central Muslim Committee representatives; Bantara Sangha Secretary Meghanath; Vajradehi Mutt, Gurupur, seer Sri Rajashekharananda Swami; Hindu Jagarana Vedike leaders Satyajit Rai, Shashiraj Shetty Kolambe, Dinakar Shetty; and Bishop’s office representative Fr J B Crasta were present among others.