Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Nov 18: Residents of the first ward of Beloor gram panchayat limits protested against the panchayat president and officials in front of Beloor grama panchayat office holding empty pots here on Saturday, November 18.

Residents alleged that Beloor gram panchayat president Karunakar Shetty was acting like a dictator asking the people to ask BJP for water as they had voted in favour of BJP. The people also alleged that PDO and gram panchayat officials were supporting the president.

“People are experiencing water problems from the past ten years. The officials are purposely creating problems for us. They do not release water for the ward properly. They even lock the pump set,” they said.

Ward member Seethanadi Karunakar M Shetty said that he had arranged pipeline and other facilities for the convenience of the residents of the ward spending money from his own pocket, but those who are expected to protect public resources, were breaking water pipes.

Gram panchayat president Karunakar Shetty refused to comment when reporters asked him for his response.

Panchayat secretary responded that local people use water as they like and waste it. Local people who were annoyed with the response took the secretary to task.

Kota station ASI Sudha Prabhu and head constable Pradeep Nayak held discussion with Beloor panchayat president and asked them to release water. The residents withdrew protests after panchayat president did the same.