Protesters Block Road at Pumpwell to stop the Yethinahole project

Various organizations from all communities including the Catholic Church of Mangalore organizations, along with the support of student organizations, staged a road blockade at Pumpwell Circle here, on October 15, 2015.

Fr William Menezes PRO Of the diocese of Mangalore, Fr J.B Crasta Parish Priest Rosario Cathedral Church, Fr Richard D Souza Director Canara Communication Centre ,members of ICYM and Catholic Sabha took part in the protest.

The agitation is in protest against the implementation of the Yettinahole project which is likely to drain the district’s lifeline, river Netravati.

The protesters gathered at the Mahaveer Circle, Pumpwell to raise their voices against the government to stop the Yettinahole river diversion project.

Addressing the protesters, Dr Niranjan said that the people have gathered in large numbers to protest against the Yettinahole project keeping aside party differences, caste, creed and religion at Pumpwell Circle. “Tulunadu has a rich culture which is in trouble due to the Yettinahole project. Recently, the National Green Tribunal sent a letter to the Supreme Court saying that the people of Dakshina Kannada do not have any right to protest against the Yettinahole project. In the media, they have highlighted that the people of our district are against providing water to Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts. In this regard, the government should be transparent. The people of DK are not against providing water if there is sufficient water for our district.”

“When the protest for Kalasa-Banduri project was taking place, leaders from Bengaluru also came to join the protest. But for the Yettinahole project, the government is very relaxed. We will not stop our fight till the Yettinahole project is stopped,” he added.