Puttur : With an aim to provide drinking water to districts like Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur and Kolar, the state government is steadily moving towards implementing the Yettinahole project, but Netravati Nadi Ulisi Horata Samiti which has been opposing the move is prepared to stall it.
As a first step towards the stir, it is stepping up offensive against implementation of the river diversion plan, a Jail Bharo has been planned by blocking of national highway as a protest on September 15.
The Samiti office bearers held a meeting under the leadership of its convener, Dr Niranjan Rai, on Saturday August 22 night at Uppinangady. And have come to a conclusion to further intensify action by protest.
People in the region apprehend and warned that execution of Yettinahole project will not only create problems for those who are dependent on river water. It will also lead to critical situation by depleting the underground water table and create problems for those dependent on it for drinking water. Members of Merchants Association, expressed their fear that the people of entire Dakshina Kannada district may face drought-like situation . Not concerned about it such situation, preparations to begin works on the project are going on in full swing. Hence this is the right time for the people in the district to come together in open and lend their voice one, against the project . Our aim is to make our strong voices be heard by the government so that the project is given up. We may have to use even the student force to get enough fire for our protests, they said.
Students and people from various organizationsand institutions would organize national highway blockade and Jail Bharo at Uppinangady on September 15 as part of first phase of the agitation. ‘Before that, let us hold village level meetings in all villages, and create awareness about natural effects and disaster of this project among everyone. Let us bring together all the people of the district and undertake a protest without involvement of any kind of politics,’suggested Dr Niranjan Rai.
Develpoping funds for this continued protest, and the means of pooling it has to be though of it now..Heads of various organizations like were present,and each of them came up with various suggestions..