Newskarnataka – Bantwal
Bantwal: Hundreds of villagers picketed the Narikombu Gram Panchayat office on February 26, Wednesday demanding basic amenities including proper roads in Mogarnadu, Anthara, Kalyaru, Poyittaje, Kedige and Karbettu areas in the Panchayat limits.
The protestors demanded that the roads which are in deplorable condition should be either asphalted or concretised. They further demanded solution to the drinking water problem.
Autorickshaw drivers are refusing to ferry passengers to our village, even if they agree they charge exorbitant fares, the protestors complained and added even other vehicles refuse to enter the village owing to the worse condition of roads. Even a service bus which was operating in the area since last month has suspended operations citing bad roads, they complained.
All gram panchayat staff were intercepted at the entrance and were disallowed from entering the office. Even revenue department officials and PDO who arrived were not allowed to go inside the office. The protestors failed to budge even after a police complaint was lodged.
Finally, police managed to open the main door and persuaded the protestors who eventually submitted a memorandum to the sub-tahsildar Rohinath and revenue officer AP Bhat. The protest was withdrawn after the officials assured to solve the problem.
Local leaders Mohan Darkhasu, Krishnappa Poojari Hosapoklu, Yogish Bhandari and others lead the protest. TP Vice President Anand A Shambhur, Narikombu Gram Panchayat President Sumathi Sadananda, former president Anand Salian, Member Krishnappa Poojari Naati, PDO Dinesh and others tried to pacify the agitators.