Follow CRZ rules, demand protesters

Residents objected to laying of Special Economic Zone Corridor road on one side of River Phalguni near Kuloor. The road, which is being laid by dumping mud on it, was stopped by the locals on Friday.

However, on Thursday night residents led by Democratic Youth Fedearation of India staged a torchlight protest opposing the work. Since the work were resumed on Friday, the residents gathered at the spot and objected to the work. The police had to intervene and stop the ongoing work.

The residents were angry that the work continued even after the protest. The residents who coercively took away pick-axe and other hand held equipment from the workers showed their anger by gathering in large numbers right in front of the heavy earth moving machineries brought to the spot.

They said that since the road is being laid dumping mud and reclaiming the riverbed, it is a clear violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone rule.

Though the CRZ authorities had sent a notice to the SEZ officials ordering them to clear off the mud dumped on the river, on April 5, no action has been taken by the Company so far.

“Since the CRZ notice has not been taken seriously by the SEZ officials we will intensify our protest. If they fail to clear off the reclamation of river land, we will protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office,” said a protester.

MLA visits

Former MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty who visited the spot expressed his support in this issue to the protesters. He condemned the violation of CRZ rules. Valerian, a resident of Athrebail said that filling of land on one side of River Phalguni will pose threat to several houses in the region during the monsoon. “This monsoon the residents living in the region will have to face artificial floods,” he said.