Thermal power project: 500 agitators arrested

Ermal, Karnataka, Nov 17 (UNI) About 500 members of the Nagarjuna Ushna Vidyut Sthavara Virodhi Samithi, opposing the setting up of the 1015 MW coal-based thermal power project, were today arrested for defying prohibitory orders and staging a dharna at Bandasale, near here, opposing the resumed survey and demarcation work.

The arrested, including Udupi BJP MP Manorama Madhwaraj, were taken in three KSRTC buses to Udupi.

The dharna was held under the leadership of Udupi BJP MP Manorama Madhwaraj and Kapu BJP MLA Lalaji R Mendon. As the large posse of police personnel failed to disperse the agitators, the district administration clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC till November 21 from this noon.

When the agitators did not pay heed to the police appeal to get into waiting buses but demanded the arrest warrant, they were forcibly lifted into the buses.

Superintendent of Police Dr Subramanyeshwar Rao and other senior police officials were present at the spot.

Ms Madhwaraj was seen arguing with the police that the law applied to arrest the peaceful agitators should also be made applicable to the Nagarjuna Power Corporation Limited officials, attempting to forcibly evict the people with the help of police.

The land survey and demarcation work, proposed to be taken up for locating the rehabilitation colony from Bandasale till Admar mutt on November eight last, was postponed till yesterday following protests by the Samithi activists and on the directions of the Chief Minister, who had assured to hold an Expert Committee meeting to discuss the issue at Manipal. The survey and demarcation by the Revenue officials was to resume today amidst tight police security.

UNI MA GD MQA HS1721