Karkala: As per reports, the general public with support from political leaders and the Kemaru seer, are set to stage a protest on October 7 after it was reported that work would be resumed on the stalled Belman tollgate which would be functional from October 15.
More than 500 residents from in and around Belman held a meeting on Wednesday, October 3, where it was decided to oppose the work on tollgate. This meeting was attended by MLA Sunil Kumar, Zilla Panchayat member Reshma Uday Shetty, Uday Shetty Inna, former president of taluk panchayat Jayaram Salian and others. The protest is set to be carried out under Suhas Hegde of Nandalike Chavadi Aramane. Suhas had previously led a protest against the Suvarna Corridor.
MLA V Sunil Kumar and Sri Esha Vittaldas Swamiji of Kemar Sandipani Sadhanashram have also decided to join the people in the protest.
Meanwhile, a protest will be held against the tollgate on October 5 by BJP members under the banner of BJP Shakthi Kendra, Belman.
Esha Vittaladas seer to join the villagers:
Speaking to News Karnataka, Esha Vittaldas Swamiji said, “The protest will be purely for the villagers. I do not want to join any political leaders during the protest and give it an angle of politics”.
“Several acres of farmland will be destroyed if they resume the tollgate plan. This will inturn lead to distress among the villagers”, he added.
He said that as of now around 5000 people will be joining the protest.
Meantime he also praised the efforts and service of the Rotary Club, which had systematically constructed the parking system in the Belman area. Esha Vittaladas seer said, “If the tollgate project resumes, then the lakhs of rupees invested to construct the parking area by the Rotary Club will be demolished. By this, the social concern of the Rotary Club will be disrespected”.
He also said, “There is a Samithi (organization), which is created to sort this issue. After the protest, observing the response, we will definitely plan to write a letter to the government, and will fight until justice prevails. I have positive hopes that this issue will definitely find a way out”.
