Mangalore: The inaction and apathy of the district administration to ensure measures to see that all the mud dumped unauthorisedly on the Phalguni river banks by the SEZ contractors was removed, came under severe criticism by residents of Melkoppala and Athrebailu near Kulur who staged a dharna in front of the DC office in Mangalore on May 23, Wednesday. They even termed the DC as an SEZ agent.
Some protestors were seen lying on the grounds covered with white clothes as if to convey the message that the artificial floods may claim their lives.
Addressing the agitators, DYFI leader Muneer Katipalla said the district administration through its inaction has proved that it was acting puppets at the hands of the SEZ authorities.
Later, a delegation of the villagers met the DC Chennappa Gowda who angered the villagers by stating that the works were in accordance to CRZ guidelines, while the villagers said otherwise.
Finally, following pressure the DC agreed to visit the site. Some of the villagers even complained that they were manhandled by the security personnel during their attempt to meet the DC.