Commotion Erupts between CMC and BJP on Eviction of Protest Pandal
Pics by Prasanna Kodavoor
Udupi: Commotion erupted between the CMC and BJP over the eviction of the protest pandal at the Clock Tower here on August 30.
BJP had organized a protest demanding the commencing of sand mining in the district. As the protest continued they marched to the DC Office after addressing the protesters at the Clock Tower.
As they marched towards the DC Office Udupi, the CMC dismantled the pandal at Clock Tower.
Following the dismantling of the pandal by the CMC, the BJP members who returned to continue the protest created a ruckus at the protest venue.
The CMC later issued a clarification saying that the protest had no prior permission from the CMC.
The protesters who went to submit the memorandum to the deputy commissioner started protesting in front of the deputy commissioner’s office and demanded a public apology by the City Municipality Commissioner and also called for an indefinite strike in the DC office.
The deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis tried to pacify the protesters but in vain. Later she called a meeting with the representatives of the BJP leader along with the Superintendent of Police Dr Sanjeev Patil.
In the meeting, the protesters demanded permission for all the 168 traditional sand extractors. They said that the regulations formulated by the district administration for issuing permits for traditional sand mining were irrelevant. The regulations don’t permit the politicians, criminals, non-residents of the village limits to extract sand. The applicants if they have applied for the sand block coming under another village of which he is not a resident, then he is not allowed to extract sand.
After a lengthy discussion, the deputy commissioner came to a conclusion and announced through the representatives of the BJP leader that the district administration will consider the demands of the BJP.
Speaking to the media persons former MLA Raghupathi Bhat said that today the BJP OBC Morcha has got a temporary victory. Deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary and SP Sanjeev Patil have agreed to consider our demand. The decision in this regard will be taken on September 2 during the Sand committee meeting. This is not the end. If the district administration fails to consider our demands we will continue our protest.
He further said that the municipality has violated its norms, the BJP had taken prior permission for the protest. The commissioner had given a written permission for us to hold the protest until 6:00 pm but the officials dismantled our pandal at 4:45 pm which is condemnable. Tomorrow during the CMC general meeting, our councillors will raise this issue. The commissioner should ask a public apology, he demanded.
The Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis speaking to the media said that we received applications from 168 traditional sand extractors from the district and have already cleared 134 applications. The remaining 30 applications will be considered during the Sand committee meeting. Another 4 applications have been put on hold and will not be considered since the applicants have a criminal back ground.