Udupi : Kartnataka Dalit Sanghrsha Samiti, Udupi District has strongly condemned the protest taken up by the people supporting the idea of bypass construction at Padubidri Town.
Briefing reporters, Kartnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Udupi District General Coordinator Lokesh K said National Highway Authority has taken good decision helping out 24 dalit families by deciding to construct highway in place of bypass in Padubidri.
If the Authority would stick to earlier proposal, as many as 53 houses, out of which 24 dalit houses would have been destroyed. He alleged vested interest trying to safeguard their immovable properties such as bar and restaurants and other outlets are demanding formation of bypass.
He said bypass construction would bring the dalit families on street and make them destitute. He accused that Chief Minister had yielded to pressure against lobbies by affluent in the area and had issued the circular directing construction of bypass on January 27, 2012.
The samiti has collected documents supporting allegations. However, at present government has finally taken a decision to widen national highway 66 at its present location that passes through Padubidri town. The proposal supporting the bypass is currently dropped. The government has already served 3A notice for evacuees of Padubidri Town to widen the present highway that passes through Padubidri Town. Condemning the protest held by Committee of National Highway Probable Distressed Persons decided to observe Padubidri bandh, greedy people are depressed over demolition of houses, shops, and business establishments in the town. The bypass road would also end up in the destruction of acre of agricultural land. He said there are no centres of worship in the region as claimed by the people who are into the protest.
He demanded the government should not succumb to pressure and go ahead with the decision to construct national highway in the present location. The demand for building bypass road to the east of the town at the area already identified should not be entertained, he added.