The residents of Melukoppala and Anthrebail who were staging stir against MSEZ for dumping mud on bank of river Phalguni to lay MSEZ corridor road were arrested by the police on Thursday.
They were taken to Panambur and Surathkal police station.
Meanwhile, social activist Vidya Dinker was arrested at Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday evening over the same issue.
The work on corridor road and pipeline laying work were started on Thursday, as per DC’s order, amidst police protection. This raged the local residents who came to the spot at about 11 am and objected to the work. They said that they would not withdraw the protest till the DC visited the spot.
On Wednesday, the local residents had staged a stir outside Deputy Commissioner’s office against the same project by displaying dummy dead bodies. They had then alleged the DC of taking sides with the MSEZ.
The local residents have been saying that the work executed by MSEZ will be devastating for the two villages because with the works, the water-level in the river will raise precariously inundating both the villages.
Tahshildar’s visit
Mangalore Tahshildar Ravichandra Nayak visited the protesters and tried to convince them, as per the directions of the Deputy Commissioner.
However, the protesters continued to cling on to their stand that till the work is stopped, they would not return. The Tahshildar who sensed that the residents were not ready to budge, instantly ordered the police to arrest them. Over 45 protesters were arrested, and later released in the evening.
The police reportedly did not even show concern towards women and children. While the women were being dragged into the police vans, their children were also put into the vehicles.
Activist arrested
Social activist Vidya Dinker, who went to Deputy Commissioner’s office to hold a talk with the DC over the issue and the fact that the DC did not take out time to visit the protesters, was arrested by the police, on Thursday evening.
According to sources, Dinker along with four others was denied permission to meet the DC. Raged by this, the group decided to remain in the office till DC leaves the office.
When the DC came out of the office, Dinker and others tried to have a conversation with the DC but the DC declined. Seeing this Dinker tried to block the DC’s path.
The security personnel of the DC stopped Dinker, which led to an altercation. Dinker and others were arrested and sent to Pandeshwar police station.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Deputy Commissioner Dr Channappa Gowda said that Dinker and others had tried to disturb the work in the government office.
“I have refused to meet them earlier since I had prior appointments. When I was heading towards some other place of work, she intervened and obstructed my work.
Hence, she and others have been put behind bars,” he said adding that he has not filed a complaint in this regard.