Activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday staged a demonstration against the Mangalore City Corporation for its apathy towards the upkeep of the road connecting the Central Market and Bunder.
The activists said the garbage in the area was not lifted regularly resulting in a stinking smell engulfing the area. “The MCC is spending lakhs of rupees on health, but doing little to clear garbage. This has left the people at risk of contracting diseases. The Lady Goschen Hospital is on the one end of the road while a commercial complex is on the other end,” said CPI (M) Mangalore City Secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal.
The activists stood at one such stinking place and raised slogans against the apathy of the MCC officers. The CITU’s Dakshina Kannada General Secretary, Vasanta Achary, said the MCC had not given much attention on clearing garbage on the busy road. The corporation had been collecting Rs. 150 from every household but not ensuring regular removal of garbage. The CPI (M) would intensify its agitation demanding proper system of garbage disposal, he said.
There were exchange of words between the activists and the police, who wanted the former to stop their demonstration. The agitators refused to stop and demanded that Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Harish Kumar should come to the spot.
The protesters relented after two officials from the MCC came to the venue and promised immediate action.
