'No talks with Govt till work is stopped'

Udupi, Nov 24 (UNI) The Nagarjuna Virodhi Horata Samiti, comprising fishermen, farmers and affected families of the proposed coal-based thermal power project by Nagarjuna Power Company Limited near Ellur, and other pro-people's associations have decided not to participate in any discussion with the Government, unless the ongoing site survey work was stopped.

Briefing newspersons here today, Samiti President Pramod Madhwaraj said the Chief Minister, who had recently assured the seer of the Udupi Pejavar mutt that the ongoing work at the project site would be immediately stopped, had not made any effort to stop the work. The attitude of the Government indicated that it was closing all avenues for talks, he added.

He announced that to intensify the agitation against the proposed plant, the Samiti had formed four regions in the undivided Dakshina Kannada to organise the people. All elected members, including MLAs, have been included as honorary advisors of the committee. The Samiti had decided to intensify its stir with various programmes like protest rally, national highway bandh and Nandikur chalo for which dates would be decided in Samiti's meet tomorrow.

UNI MA GD TS2007