Belthangady : The Belthangady taluk-level Netravathi Ulisi Horata Samithi was constituted and was decided to call for Belthangady taluk bandh on October 7, to oppose Yettinahole at a meeting organised by various organisations at Belthangady on Friday.

Yettinahole Yojane Virodhi Horata Samithi Convener Dr Niranjan Rai said, “Yettinahole will not only destroy forest but also the river source. There is a conspiracy to divert the attention of people in the name of Yettinahole. None of the political parties has made its stand clear on the project.”

Sahyadri Sanchaya Convener Dinesh Holla said, “By diverting the river, there are possibilities of river going dry from its origin itself. The garland canal project will disturb the ecology of Western Ghats. The government is implementing Yettinahole without carrying out a scientific study and there is no clarity on the 14-feet tall pipeline that is laid at the project site.”

Advocate B K Dhananjay Rao complained that “No one had a clear cut idea on the project. The government should conduct a scientific study and educate the public on it. Project can not be implemented without taking local people into confidence. A PIL (Public Interest Litigation) can be submitted in the court concerning the impact on environment.”

Another Advocate K Prathap Simha Nayak said, there is a need for people’s movement against the project by uniting people from all walks of life. The people of the district have confusion with regard to the project.

Mahesh Shetty Thimarody expressed his discontent over the denial of chance for him to speak during the recently held highway bandh at Uppinangady. Dr Rai sought apology for the same.

The meeting decided to form Netravathi Ulise Horata Samithi and decide on the future course of action after seeking suggestions from religious leaders and members of various organisations.

The meeting also urged the government to conduct a scientific study on the project and drop the project. It was also decided to ask all the gram panchayats to pass a resolution against the project and forward it to the State government.

It was also decided to convene a meeting on September 29 at 3 pm in Belthangady.
Pushparaj Shetty (convener), Shashikiran Janin and Shibi Dharmasthala (secretary), Harish Poonja (treasurer) were elected office-bearers of the samithi.