Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Feb 22: Thousands of people took part in the mass protest that was held by Heddari Jagruti Samithi demanding the waiver of toll for vehicles in Kota district panchayat limits.
Protesters shouted slogans from large sheds temporarily erected near Sasthan toll gate since the morning of Monday, February 22, expressing anguish against Navayuga company and the national highway authority. Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary who arrived at the spot said that a suitable decision will be taken regarding concession at the toll booth for locals in the DISHA meeting. He said that he will always be in favour of the local people. Various religious leaders and political leaders took part in the protests.
Bandh partially successful
The voluntary bandh called by Heddari Jagruti Samithi urging for the waiver of toll for locals was partially successful. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed at Kota, Saligrama, Sasthan along with the other parts in the district demonstrating support to the protest.
Tahsildar visits
Brahmavar tahsildar Kiran Gorayya visited the spot when the protest was in progress and urged the Heddari Samithi to conduct the protest in a peaceful manner. Responding to this request, the anguished protesters urged the tahsildar to not test their patience and rather provide them justice. They requested Gorayya to convey their grievances to the deputy commissioner.
Shouting of slogans
Slogans could be heard throughout the protests. Journalist Vasanth Giliar who arrived at the spot lamented that protesting was inevitable in order to fight for the rights of people. "The elected representatives and do not even raise the matter before the concerned authorities," he said.
Success in DISHA meeting
A meeting of MP, MLA and officials was held at the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday, February 22. The Navayuga company was asked to waive the toll for local people in the presence of Heddari Jagruthi Samithi office bearers.
BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje and Udupi MLA, Raghupathi Bhat confronted Navayuga company which maintained that they cannot exempt local vehicles from payment of toll. "As the local people allowed you to construct toll booth, it is your duty to exempt them," the political leaders said.
The office-bearers of the Samithi were delighted that they were finally exempted from the payment of toll. The Heddari Samithi commended the media that broadcasted the news from the first day of the campaign. The protesters promptly cleaned the area where the protest was held and picked the strewn garbage.