The project has become a bone of contention with the environmentalists taking up cudgels against use of forest land for power projects.
The day began with the detention of about 20 activists of Malanadu Janapara Horata Samithi on the outskirts of Sakleshpur.
They had planned to stage a protest and therefore were kept in preventive custody till Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa left the venue after attending the programme. President of the Samithi, Kishore, said that they merely planned to submit a memorandum to the CM and not create any trouble. Meanwhile, about 20 members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha were also arrested before the CM’s arrival and released later.
Despite the thick security blanket between Sakleshpur and Gundia, former JD (S) MLA H M Viswanath managed to stage a protest on the main road, blocking traffic and compelling the police to divert traffic in the tiny town. The CM, in his speech however, thanked the people for allowing the project “without the smallest sign of protest.”
(Published 23 May 2009, 16:56 IST)
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