Kolar City witnesses a welter of protests

Niranis effigy burnt as citizens criticise his assault of farmers leader in Koppal

Activists of different organisations with various demands staged serial protests in different parts of the City on Monday.

Members of one faction of the Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene burnt an effigy of Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani while other faction members demanded waiver of farmers’ loans, among others. Students, parents and leaders of organisations staged a protest outside the office of the block education officer, demanding implementation of the Right To Education Act.

Eerappa, president of the APMC, the director, and the local leaders of the JD(S) submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner Dr D S Vishwanath, alleging the tahsildar has instigated farmers to oppose a survey of the land for the APMC market.

‘Condemnable’

Activists of the farmers’ organisations condemned Nirani’s assault of farmer leader Ashok Thimmaswamy in Mudhol, Koppal district. The protesters also burnt an effigy of Nirani at the old bus stand and shouted slogans against the minister.

“Nirani assaulted Thimmaswamy since he leads the fight of farmers who are demanding payment for the sugarcane supplied to the factory owned by the minister. Nirani should not be allowed to continue as minister in the State Cabinet. He should also be arrested and legal action should be taken against the minister,” demanded the farmers.

‘Waive loans’

Members of another faction of the Raitha Sangha-Hasiru Sene protested on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, demanding that the farmers’ loans be waived, a minimum price be fixed for silk and the price of milk and dairy products be increased, among others.

“Farmers are struggling to face the drought in the district. Their loans should therefore be waived. Also, fertilisers should be supplied at subsidised rates. Farmers growing vegetables should be assured of a support price,” they demanded.

“Rural areas should be provided better facilities. The Paramashivaiah Report should be implemented immediately as it ensures the region gets better irrigation facilities. A new Lokayukta should be appointed and unlicensed sand mining and transport should be prevented,” they added.

Students protest

Parents and students led by activists of various students’ organisations in the City staged a protest outside the office of the block education officer. They demanded action against private education institutes denying admission under the RTE Act.

“Many schools are refusing admission under the RTE Act to children. They are making parents and children run from pillar to post for admission. The rule that 25 per cent of the seats should be reserved for children from economically backward families is forgone,” complained the protesters. “Yet, the authorities concerned have failed to take necessary action against such schools,” they alleged.

They also called the education officer, Shivalingaiah, inconsiderate for refusing to attest in time the transfer certificate of Sandeep, a student of the government school in Kembodi, who wished to enrol into the school in Malur.

Shivalingaiah, submitting to pressure of protesters, had called the headmaster of the
Kembodi school over the telephone. He asked for the attendance register of the students and attested the certificate. The boy, Sandeep, however, had decided to commit suicide, after several futile visits to the school and the education officer’s officer.

“This was an outcome of the negligence and inhuman behaviour of the officers at the education department,” said the protesters.

APMC issue

“Tahsildar Muniveerappa has instigated farmers to oppose survey of the land allotted for the APMC market in the City. He has forced us to sign a report saying the survey is unnecessary,” alleged APMC president Eerappa, APMC director and local leaders of the JD(S).

“A survey of the market extension land is forgone and the tahsildar should be instructed to take necessary action for the survey,” demanded the protesters.
Deputy Commissioner Vishwanath accepted the memorandum submitted by the protesters and assured action would be taken within a couple of days.