Police forcibly hospitalise protester

Anti-Yettinahole hunger strike of social activist brought to halt with worries of ill-health

Police have used force against social activist Sudatta Jain, who was on an indefinite hunger strike against the ongoing Yettinahole project and admitted him to hospital on Thursday.

The police have used worsening health condition of Jain as a reason, as the activist was on hunger strike for the fifth day outside the deputy commissioner’s office.

Jain had decided to take further decision on his hunger strike in the presence of Kemaru Sri Esha Vittaladasa Swamiji at 5 pm, but at around 2 pm, the police got him forcibly admitted to the district Government Wenlock Hospital.

The protesters said that the district administration has become inhuman and the law and order system was deteriorating. The fishermen community too should understand the ill-effects of the Yettinahole project and take active part in the protest, they urged.

‘Keeping away’

Karavali Jeevanadi Nethravathi Rakshna Samiti vice-president M G Hegde said that the deputy commissioner could have met Jain at least once in the last four days.

“This is another example of the negligence of the government towards Coastal Karnataka,” said Hegde and added that there was no water at Yettinahole now, and the idea of supplying rainwater during the rainy season would prove a failure.

Meanwhile, he said that the Yettinahole work was in progress only on private land, currently. “But, they will extend the project to Gundya and Kumaradhara if no one protests again it. The protest, however, will continue in the region,” he warned.

Sahyadri Sanchaya Convener Dinesh Holla said that the district administration should have responded to the hunger strike. “The district administration is in stronghold of ministers and it is another humiliation made by the government to the people of Coastal Karnataka,” he said.

Tulu Nadu

Shailesh R J of Tulu Nadu Okkuta (Belthangady) said that already flags of Tulu Nadu were hoisted on the day of Kannada Rajyotsava in many places of the district.

“The government is planning the diversion of River Nethravathi in the name of Yettinahole project. If the project is stopped, then demand for Tulu Nadu will intensify in the future,” he warned.