After DC’s assurance, elderly couple withdraw stir against denial of voting rights

After DC’s assurance, elderly couple withdraw stir against denial of voting rights

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, April 12, 2013 :  An elderly couple  hailing from Saralebettu in Herga village who were on a hunger strike  in front of the DC office at Manipal  since April 11, Friday morning  demanding voting rights and in protest against the inaction of the officials in including their names in the voters’ list, ended their strike by evening after Deputy Commissioner Muddu Mohan assured to consider their demand.

 The couple Gopal Appu Koteyar and his wife Sunanda G Koteyar who were earlier residing in Mumbai and had shifted to Herga in 2003 had applied for inclusion of their names in the voters’ list on February 6. However, when they came to know that their names have not been included, the two decided to go on a hunger strike in front of the DC office.

The DC who met the couple at their protest venue  said a committee has been formed to enquire their case and that the tahsildar and village accountant have been served a show cause notice. However, the couple who were unrelenting, said it was dereliction of duty on the part of officials.

Later in the evening, Additional DC Kumar met the couple and handed over a letter from the DC and requested them to withdraw the agitation. A committee led by Kundapur AC has been formed to submit a report within 24 hours, the DC said and added  action would follow against those found guilty.

Later, the couple withdrew their protest at around 4.45 pm.