Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and other activists of the Netravathi Rakshana Samyukta Samiti have threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike on Friday demanding that the work on the Yettinahole diversion project or what the government calls Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project be stopped immediately. Talking to reporters here on Monday, Satyajit Surathkal of the samiti said that he, Mr. Kateel, M.G. Hegde, an activist, and 10 other activists would go on the indefinite hunger strike on that day. Also, other activists would be on a relay hunger strike. “This is the ultimate fight to save our water resource and the eco-sensitive Western Ghats,” he said.
Mr. Hegde said that they would withdraw the hunger strike if the State government takes a decision to keep the project on hold for a few days and clear doubts raised by the activists. Minister for Major Irrigation M.B. Patil has to come to Mangaluru with experts and resolve issues concerning people here, he said.
Mr. Hegde said that if the State government used the police to prevent activists from going on the hunger strike, then their agitation would take a serious turn. The State government and the Ministers from the district would be held responsible for the untoward incidents resulting from their intensified agitation, he added.
Mr. Surathkal said that members from various organisations would be joining the agitation. They would garland the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Park and march to the office of the Deputy Commissioner where a public meeting would be held, he said. The hunger strike would begin at 11.30 a.m., he said.
