Mangaluru: The Toll Gate Virodhi Horata Samithi has warned of direct action if the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel do not take any action to close down the toll plaza on National Hihgway 66 at NITK-Surathkal by October 30.

Instead of threatening to “set the district on fire” on trivial issues, Mr. Kateel should volunteer to set the toll plaza on fire, said CPI district secretary V. Kukyan, while addressing general public at the indefinite dharna that entered the seventh day at Surathkal on Sunday. Otherwise, voters would end his political career during the coming elections, Mr. Kukyan warned.

A large number of people, including women and children, visited the dharna venue on Sunday extending their moral support to the protesters. Samithi convener Muneer Katipalla, former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty, many city corporation councillors, representatives of various associations and others attended the dharna.

Meanwhile, in a communiqué here, Mr. Katipalla condemned the indifferent attitude of Mr. Kateel, the NHAI and area MLA Y. Bharath Shetty, who did not visit the dharna site and make an attempt to sort out the issue. Public support is increasing every passing day; yet people’s representatives have remained mute to the issue. On the other hand, Mr. Kateel is attempting to mislead people by issuing false statements, he said.

Mr. Katipalla said that the NHAI had in January decided to merge the Surathkal toll plaza with that of Hejmady and the samithi is demanding implementation of that decision. It is the duty of the MP to ensure that the decision is implemented and people are saved from harassment. While public anger is mounting, the silence of the district in-charge Minister and the district administration is also unacceptable, Mr. Katipalla said.