AMR Power ordered to suspend operation following local protests

AMR Power ordered to suspend operation following local protests

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 8, 2011 : T. N. Narayan Rao, the taluk penal officer, has ordered AMR Power to suspend operations till 10:00 a.m. on Dec 6 Thursday, following the death of 3 students in the waters of the River Nethravathi and allegations by the local people that AMR Power’s habit of releasing water without warning is responsible for their deaths.

The local people, under the leadership of M. Tungappa Bangera, the former member of the ZP, presented a memorandum to the tahsildar on Wednesday, demanding that AMR Power should be shut down because it released water from its dam without warning, leading to the death of 3 students who were swimming in the river at that time.

On Dec 6 Thursday, Laxmeesha, Jithesh, and Yashodar drowned in River Nethravathi after AMR Power opened the gates of its dam without warning, causing a sudden rise in the water level.

The local people accused AMR Power of being responsible for the death of 11 people during the past 3 years and demanded that the executive officers of the company should come to the tahsildar’s office. When they finally arrived, the local people reprimanded them severely, causing a tense situation.

The officers stated that they had not released water on Tuesday, and whenever they do release water, they always inform the police station, the tahsildar, and the GP besides letting off the siren. The local people then wanted to know how the water level had risen when the students were bathing in knee-deep water. They also demanded that the company should compensate the 11 people who drowned over the past 3 years, install sirens and warning signs along the river bank, and issue a press release before releasing water.

The protestors were led by Purusha Salian and Chennappa Kotian, the member of the ZP. Praveen, Ravish, Gurudas, and Premnath, all officers of AMR Power, were also present.