Mangaluru : A meeting convened by Karavali Jeevanadi Nethravathi Rakshana Samithi here on Friday passed a resolution demanding the State government to halt the ongoing Yettinahole project.

It was also demanded to hold discussions on the project in Mangaluru instead of Bengaluru. They demanded that the affidavit on water user right submitted to the National Green Tribunal, be withdrawn and warned that the government be ready to face ‘Karavali Chaluvali’ otherwise.

Samithi Convener M G Hegde complained that the government is trying to convert Mangaluru into an industrial zone. The ban on Kambla, which is closely related to the farm culture was a part of this conspiracy.

“Anyhow, we won’t let them kill river Nethravathi for a fake project. The protest will be organised right from village-level. This will be a movement to end imposition of culture and harassment on coastal people,” he said.

Former mayor K Ashraf demanded the organization to give a call for Dakshina Kannada bandh within a week. The elected representatives, who can not support the public movement, should resign. It will add more strength to the protest. If they don’t cooperate, the protestors will protest in front of their houses, he warned.

Bunt leader Maladi Ajith Kumar Rai opined that the protest should be converted to a people’s movement and should not loss strength at any moment. The Bunts have passed resolution against the project during Ganeshotsava celebrations and decided to start signature campaign from children and elders. “We should not let down our rights at any movement. If we loss farming, it means loss of our culture and language,” he said. Mangaluru Diocese PRO Fr William Menezes called upon all religious leaders to unite for the cause without any barriers. “It pains us when our religious sentiments are hurt. Now, it is the time to save Nethravathi river upon which we all depend on. Our message should reach the leaders who are in Bengaluru,” he said.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president Harikrishna Punarooru opined that severe protest is the need of the hour. Mohandas of Akhila Bharatha Billavara Mahamandala urged the elected representatives to oppose the project inside the Assembly. Yashwanth Mendon warned of separate state if the state continues imposing of projects on coastal Karnataka.

It was also urged in the meeting that the alternatives schemes should be initiated to provide water to the parched districts like Kolar and CB’pur.

Karavali Jeevanadi Nethravathi Rakshana Samithi vice president P V Mohan, Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya Convener Dinesh Holla, Fr Lancy D’Cunha of Catholic Sabha, Fisheries leaders Vasudeva Boloor, Mohan Bengre, All College Student Association president Uttam Alva were present.