Massive protest against ISPRL expansion held in Udupi

Massive protest against ISPRL expansion held in Udupi

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Dec 20, 2011: A massive protest was held on Dec 19 Monday against the proposed second phase of the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) project, which includes operational expansion by the acquistion of more agricultural land. The protest was led by the BJP, the Congress, and the JD (S).

Expressing their anger against ISPRL, the protestors said that the company acquired 200 acres of land 2 years back in Padoor in Kaup and that the company has now begun conducting a survey for the second phase of its expansion. The company intends to acquire 700 acres of land, and if it succeeds, 200 families will be driven out of their property, they said.

The protestors also said that religious centres and agricultural land is in danger of being destroyed because of the company’s plans for expansion. In his protest address, Kutyar Prasad Shetty said that the people of Padur are unwilling to give up their land for this project. He also said that the Kalathoor Jana Jagruthi Samithi will not only fight against the ISPRL’s land acquisition plans, but will also support the anti-UPCL bandh, which is scheduled to be held on Dec 26. He said that such companies can be discouraged only if people stand united and refuse to part with their land. He also spoke of the dangers of companies such as UPCL, MRPL, MSEZ, Suzlon, ISPRL, and others to DK and its culture.

Yashpal Suvarna, the chairman of the Karnataka Fisheries Federation; Katpadi Shankar Poojary, the president of the ZP; K. Devdas Hebbar, the president of the Taluk Panchayat; Jayakar Shetty Indrali, the district governor of Lions Club; Gurme Suresh Shetty, the honorary president of the Kalattoor Jana Jagruthi Samithi; Vijay Kumar Shetty, the president of the district Raitha Sangha; Mattar Ratnakar Hegde, the former president of the Zilla Panchayat; Arun Shetty Padoor; Kaup Diwakar Shetty; and many other leaders, along with thousands of affected people participated in the protest.

Business came to a standstill in Shirva and Kaup and taxis and auto rickshaws refused to ply. MLAs K. Raghupathi Bhat, Lalaji R. Mendon, Vasanth Salian, the former minister, Deviprasad Shetty, the district JD (S) president, and K. Uday Kumar Shetty, the district BJP president, said that they will support the people fully and that the battle will be on till the company gives up its plans for expansion.

A massive protest rally commenced at the KSRTC Bus Stand and passed through KM Marg, the taluk office, Ajjarkad, and Brahmagiri, before ending in front of the DC’s office, where a public meeting was held.

Finally, a memorandum to the chief minister of Karnataka was submitted to the DC.