Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur
Puttur, Mar 25: A delegation from the Brahmarakootlu Toll Gate Removal Struggle Committee, led by former minister B Ramanath Rai, visited the proposed toll gate site at Valalu on National Highway 75 on Wednesday, ahead of its planned operational launch, and conducted an on-site inspection.
Speaking at the site, the committee’s honorary president, Ramanath Rai, said that the first phase of the protest against the Brahmarakootlu toll gate, which is operating illegally, has already been carried out. “We will continue our struggle until it is removed. We oppose all toll gates established unlawfully and without proper public information,” he said.
Munir Katipalla, convenor of the Surathkal Toll Gate Virodhi Samiti, alleged that the district is witnessing attempts to replace one existing toll gate with three. He added that continuous protests have been under way for the removal of the Brahmarakootlu toll gate, and now a broader committee led by Ramanath Rai is spearheading the campaign. He warned that no toll gate at Valalu will be allowed to start functioning until Brahmarakootlu is removed.
Farmer leader Rupesh Rai stated, “Common people already pay taxes on everything. Why should we pay an additional toll?” He urged that discussions be held with the farmers’ community to gather their opinions.
The delegation included key committee members and local leaders: Mohan Shetty, Shekhar B, secretary Suresh, Block Congress presidents Tausif, Chandrashekar Bhandary, Balakrishna Anchean, Women’s Block Congress president Usha Anchean, leaders Shahul Hameed, Sarvottam Gowda, Dr Rajaram, Dr Raghu, Seetharam Shetty, Lukman, U T Irshad, Fauzer, Shabir Kempi, P B Varghese, Latif Ninnikallu, Chittaranjan Shetty, Rupesh Rai, B M Bhat, Muralidhar, Shahul Hameed, Sadashiva Bangera, Sudeep Kumar Shetty, Albert Menezes, Adam Kunji, Umesh Bolanthuru, Harish, Bharathi Prashanth, Rajaa Chendtimar, Chittaranjan Shetty, Prashanth Rai, Santosh Rai Valalu, Shabir Siddakatte and others.
Dr Rajaram welcomed the delegation, while B M Bhat offered felicitations.