Villagers stage a protest against the district administration to collect entry fee and issuance of passes to enter hilly areas at Athigundi near Chikkamagaluru on Friday.
DH Photo
Hundreds of villagers from Athigundi, Mahal, Bisagni mutt, Kesavinamane, Pandaravalli, Ukuda, Chandragiri and Gowrishankara staged a protest against the district administration’s move to collect entry fee and issuance of passes to enter Mullayyanagiri and Inam Dattadreya Peeta.
Along with villagers, vehicle drivers and merchants voluntarily observed bandh and
took out a jatha to gram panchayat office.
They demanded that the decision on collection of fee and issue of passes should be dropped. A memorandum was submitted through panchayat development officer, on the occasion.
‘Should’ve consulted us’
The protesters reasoned that the decision on issuing passes to travel to hilly areas should have been taken after consulting the villagers.
“Over seven thousand people reside beyond the check-post. If events such as weddings or deaths occur, should relatives and friends coming from faraway places have to arrive only with a pass?” they questioned.
“If such a decision is implemented, then even for any event, family members will be forced to plead at the check-post,” they rued.
Lone bus service
“There is only one bus service a day to the hilly range area, and unlike earlier, no private buses operate now. Apart from that, most villages can only be accessed by private vehicles.
“Additionally, if locals need a pass to go for work in plantations, construction sites, or elsewhere within the area, it will become extremely difficult for them to earn a living,” they said.
They demanded the district administration to withdraw its decision to collect entry fee and issuance of passes in the hilly region.