Nearly 60 local cable operators of Seema Communications Siti Cable staged a dharna in front of Kurnool Collectorate on Saturday resenting snapping of cable wires by municipal officials despite payment of the tax.
Led by managing director of Seema Communiations Md. Mustafa, the protesters demanded suspension of Kurnool Municipal Commissioner S. Ravindra Babu and Town Planning Officer Sastry for cutting the cable wires at every electric pole in Kurnool town by engaging private workers.
On being advised by the Town Planning Officer, the prescribed tax of Rs. 25,000 was paid but thereafter the cables were cut causing a loss of Rs. 5 lakh, Mr. Mustafa said. He alleged that the municipal officials were vengeant towards his cable network at the behest of a rival master cable operator.
CPI(M) State Committee member T. Shadrak, party leaders Ghouse Desai, Subbaiah and Ramudu and AIDWA leaders P. Nirmala and Alivelamma expressed solidarity to the protest. Unemployed persons pooled up investments and eking out a living as cable operators, and the municipal officials were targeting them on the diktat of their rival cable network, they alleged.
They allege wires cut despite payment of tax
