Mangalore : “Netravati river diversion is a project designed by some selfish politicians, by cheating the people of Dakshina Kannada. All MLAs and ministers of the district should resign immediately as a mark of protest against the project. If the government continues its negligegence over the concern of people, a district bandh call will be given soon,” said former MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty.

Addressing students of various colleges of Dakshina Kannada who had taken part in the rally against Netravati river diversion project, organised by Karavali Jeevanadi- Netravati Rakshana Samiti, All College Students Association, Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya and other organisations, in front of DC’s office, on Saturday, Shetty said that the next generation will not forgive us if the project is implemented. “These kinds of projects have already failed in America and Russia. The government is spending huge amount of public money for a project of no use,” he rued.

Social activist M G Hegde defined the river diversion project as a business which provides empty pipelines to Kolar, makes Netravati river empty and fills the pockets of politicians. He came down heavily against Congress ticket aspirant from Mangalore constituency Harsha Moily for his statement supporting the Netravati diversion project. He reminded that the people have the power to divert the political carrier of politicians.

Taking a dig at people’s representatives from the district, Hegde said that it seems that Minister U T Khader and District-in-Charge Minister B Ramanath Rai have forgotten the people of their motherland. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has given statements against the project, but never participated in anti- project protests. “These representatives didn’t convene even a single meeting to discuss the issue at least for courtesy. They have taken the people of Dakshina Kannada for granted. Do they have courage to do it in Kolar or Chikballapur,” he asked. Earlier, students and staff from various colleges of the district gathered at Jyothi circle. Holding banners with messages to save Netravati river, they shouted slogans against the river diversion project. En route, the students beat drums to mark protest and distributed pamphlets to general public about the affects of the project.