Hindus, Muslims, Christians gearing up to fight against Yettinahole Project

Hindus, Muslims, Christians gearing up to fight against Yettinahole Project

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru: September 26, 2015: Leaders of various communities including Mangalore Diocese, Federation of Muslim Organizations, associations of Mogaveeras, Billavas, Bunts and several other communities and NGOs resolved that series of protests should be launched if their demand to stop Yettinahole project is not fulfilled by the government.

Leaders of various organisations resolved at a meeting convened by Karavali Jeevanadi Nethravathi Rakshana Samiti to urge the government to hold a meeting of experts in Mangaluru with regard to Yettinahole project. While Mangalore Diocese PR Fr William Menezes extended the support of Christias, former Mayor K Ashraf, who is representing the Federation of Muslim Organisations said that the community will join the agitations against Yettinahole project. Similarly, fishermen leaders warned that Mogaveeras, Muslims and Christians engaged in fishing will unit to fight against the project.

Father Menezes said, "the government, which is concerned about providing drinking water to Kolar, also should show concern towards people of Dakshina Kannada. We need to protest against the government when our demands are ignored. Mangalore Diocese will extend its support to the protest."

K Ashraf said that people of Dakshina Kannada should call for a district bandh and also demand the resignation of all people’s representatives from the district. "Ambareesh had shown his solidarity towards his people by tendering his resignation letter expressing his anguish over Cauvery verdict. Similarly, let people’s representatives from Dakshina Kannada district resign registering their anguish over the implementation of Yettinahole project. Let us hold protests in front of their house if they do not resign," Ashraf said.

Harikrishna Punarooru, former president of Karnataka State Kannada Sahitya Parishat, said the movement against Yettinahole project will be fruitful if members of all communities and organisations join hands forgetting all difference.

Leaders of various communities, activists and NGOs spoke extending their support to intensify the fight against Yettinahole project. Samiti conveners PV Mohan and M G Hegde said meeting of religious leaders will be convened soon to decide the future course of action.

"Let the government stop Yettinahole project and prepare alternative plans to provide water to parched districts. A meeting of technical experts should be convened in Mangaluru. Or else, the government will have to face the ire of people of Dakshina Kannada in the form of a revolt," said MG Hegde.

National Institution of Technology Karnataka (NITK) former professor S G Mayya pointed out that the detailed project report (DPR) of Yettinahole project is full of misleading information.

"The title of the project in feasibility report and the DPR varies and it has no clarity with regard to the water availability in Yettinahole region. As per the DPR, the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) aims at drawing 24.01 TMC of water, but the fact is that the total availability of water in the region is less than 9 TMC. Hence, spending over 13,000 crore for a project, which will never yield results, is a waste of public money," Mayya added.