Kaup bandh passes off peacefully

Udupi, Nov 18 (UNI) The bandh call, given in several parts of Kaup Assembly constituency in protest against the arrest of Udupi BJP MP Manorama Madhwaraj and hundreds of other agitators at Ermal yesterday opposing the survey work for the 1015 MW coal-based thermal power project near Padubidre in the district, evoked total response and passed off peacefully today.

Road blockades were put up on the national highway in Padubidre, following which traffic between Mangalore and Udupi was disrupted for over half an hour. Schools, business establishements and shops in Padubidre, Hudarangady, Palimar, Shirva, Nandikur, Ermal and Kaup remained closed. Mufussil bus service from Padubidre to interior areas of Nandikur, Ermal and Palimar were suspended. Fishing activities at major fisheries port at Malpe came to a standstill.

The survey continued for the second day today under tight police security. Prohibitory orders under sec 144 of CrPC had been clamped in a three km area around the project site from yesterday till November 21.

However, police said the situation was normal and under control.

Meanwhile, about 2,000 people, including Ms Madhwaraj staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office, demanding stoppage of all survey works at the project site.

Ms Madhwaraj demanded that the district administration apprise the State Government about the strong feelings of the people of the district against the project. All survey and demarcation work at the site should be stopped forthwith untill an Experts Committee, comprising experts from various fields including environment, marine and power from both sides, is set up and submits its report.

She asked the district administration to immediately lift the prohibitory orders and warned that if the administration continued with the survey work by providing police protection, the peaceful agitation could turn outrageous.

Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj said he had conveyed the feelings of the poeple to the Energy Principal Secretary and the Secretary to the Chief Minister.

UNI MA GD AKJ KP1945