Bandh: Assns resort to novel ways

Various organisations staged stir, shouted slogans against the government and minister, burnt the effigy, rang the death knell, to mark the observation of ‘black day’ and district bandh called by Karavali Jeevanadi Netravati Rakshana Samiti, in the city on Monday.

Various like-minded organisations unitedly protested against the bandh at Hampankatta junction on Monday evening. The protesters led by former Congress MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty burnt the copies of Pramasivaiah report on Netravati River Diversion, symbolically opposing the project.

Addressing protesters, he said it was for the first time that all the organisations, irrespective of their political and community affiliations have joined together to fight for the cause of Netravati. “This is just the beginning. We will intensify the fight in the days to come,” he said.

Congress leader P V Mohan criticised the chief minister for meeting injustice with the people of Dakshina Kannada and treating them as ‘outsiders’ by not paying attention to people’s opinion. “If this continues, it might lead to the demand for a separate state,” he warned. 

Earlier on the day, various organisations like All College Students’ Association, Rashtriya Parisara Samrakshana Okkuta staged protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office. Marana Gante or death knell was rung near the entry gate of DC’s office, immediately after the foundation-stone was laid for the project at Chikballapur. 

Effigies of Union Minister Veerappa Moily and former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda were burnt. The portrait of Veerappa Moily was garlanded with sandals.