Protests mark the day in Chikkaballapur

Members of DYFI and paramedics’ association launched stirs in Shidlaghatta and Chikkaballapur respectively, asking for fulfillment of various demands.

In Shidlaghatta, members of DYFI staged protest demanding implementation of permanent irrigation system. “Memorandas, statements and seminars will not bring water permanently to the Districts. Only a strong movement can get water,” said M P Munivenkatappa, district secretary of DYFI.

At a press conference on Monday, he said: “Before starting the movement, people should be made aware of the problems faced. They should know that people are being misled by the government with speeches and statements on implementation of Ettinahole project.”

He added that DYFI had started agitation demanding implementation of permanent irrigation system nine years ago. As commemoration of this, association will conduct awareness jatha, from May 22 to June 22, about importance of implementation of  permanent irrigation system.

Members of SFI, DYFI, KPRS, AIDWA and JMS associations will organise awareness jathas at different places. As part of the jatha, they will distribute pamphlets, performed street plays and sing to create awareness about water scarcity and need for permanent irrigation system, they demanded.

“We will try to put pressure on the Government to give permanent solution to water problem in 10 districts, affecting more than two crore population. Most of the people are migrating to different cities. If the government does not consider it seriously, we the movement will be intensified,” they warned.

Speaking about people’s representatives they accused the Union Minister Veerappa Moily of misleading the people with Ettinahole project, who once had promised to solve water problems when he was elected.

B N Munikrishna, member of District Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha said: “Peoples’ representatives are making different statements in different places. There is need for creating awareness about it among school and college students. Youth will be the main strength of the movement.”

‘Regularise services’

Paramedics in Chikkaballapur staged stir on Monday, asking to fulfill various demands including regularisation of their service and excluding them from KPMA. 

Protesters staged march till the Deputy Commissioner’s office and warned that the stir will continue till their demands are met.

Chandrashekhar, president of the district unit association of the paramedics said: “We give preference to treating people from rural areas. We give them first aid and treat them temporarily.

“This service has been accredited by the Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra governments. But in Karanataka our service is not considered and we have not been given accreditation,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramachandrareddy, secretary of the association said that “The racket of quacks in rural areas has drawn undue doubt about us in the minds of  the people. Strict action should be taken against the quacks.”

Leaders of the association Prasad, Balakrishna and others were present.