Mangalore, March 3, 2014: The bundh call given by various organisations opposing the implementation of Yettinahole Project has been total with normal life crippled across the city and also in various parts of the district. The city also witnessed a few protests as part of the bundh.
For the first ever time, almost the entire city shut down voluntarily for a cause-to Save Netravathi River, the lifeline of the district. Unlike the bundh calls given by politicial poarties, wherein generally the response would be partial, this time it was complete with all educational institutions, shops, business establishments and even hotels and petrol bunks remaining shut. This in turn hit hard many people who rely on hotel food.
Buses both private and government are completely off the roads and the city roads are wearing a deserted look.
Protests mark bundh against Yettinahole project
Mangalore: The National Environment Care Federation and the All College Student Union organised protests in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in the city on March 3, to strongly condemn the laying of the foundation for the controversial Yettinahole Project.
The protestors also sounded ‘Death Knell’ or ‘Marana Ghante’ at the protest venue to express their strong opposition to the project, which they said would deprive the coastal district of its rightful water.
Shashidhar Shetty Kolambe, a leader of the Karavali Jeevanadi Netravathi Rakshana Samithi said it was unpardonable on the part of the government to decide to implement the project which intends to change the course of River Netravathi, the lifeline of the district.
Mariamma Thomas who also spoke said the agitation would be intensified if the government neglects the demand of the people of the region to shelve the project.
Students protest: Members and leaders of the All College Student Union also staged a protest and shouted slogans denouncing the project.
Speaking on the occasion, Dinaker Shetty, State President of All College Student Union said the Netravathi Diversion Project will benefit the politicians more than the people.
The protestors also burnt the effigy of union minister Veerappa Moily who is keen on implementing the project and former CM DV Sadananda Gowda who gave approval for this project during his chiefministership. All College Student Union President Rakshith Poojari, Vikhyat Poojari, Uttam Alva and others were present.