Move to close road near Pilikula sparks outrage; locals clash with police

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 25, 2016 : The district administration which  took up the task of closing  a road adjacent to the Pilikula Nisargadhama at the behest of the Nisargadhama authorities on February 25, Thursday sparked outrage among  locals who have been using the road since years, though it  is a property of the Nisargadhama.  The public outrage even resulted in a clash  between the public and the police.

The road closure works was taken up with police protection at around 7 am with the workers even dumping soil on the  road  and building a  wall.

Though the road officially belongs to the Nisargadhama  nearly one thousand families have been using it since centuries. On Thursday over one thousand people including women gathered in the area and protested. They complained that they would have to trek another three kilometers to reach their houses  if the road is closed. It is learnt in the melee the police pushed some women, resulting in the fracas.

Meanwhile,  State Youth Services  and Sports Minister Abhayachandra Jain who visited the place assured to  hold talks with the DC and suspend the works. He also promised that the road would    be kept  open for locals.

On the other hand Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said the intention behind closing the road is to put an end to anti-social activities in the area mainly because the Nisargadhama does not have a compound wall.

He said the closure of the road would be inevitable though the work has been suspended as of now as per the instructions of the minister.