Ullal Kodi residents have decided to cast their franchise on April 17 while keeping their fight for withdrawal of cases against “innocent” residents following communal trouble in the first week of February.
Talking to reporters here on Monday, Ullal Kodi Hitarakshana Samiti president Abdul Rehman said they decided against boycotting polls following an elaborate discussion with Mangalore MLA U.T. Khader. “He convinced us not to boycott polls. We will vote and retain pressure for withdrawal of cases,” Mr. Rehman said.
A few days ago, the Samiti had called for boycott of polls as political parties had failed to address problems caused because of arrest of 50 persons from Ullal Kodi and Mogarveerapata, who, they claimed ,were “innocent” of the trouble in Ullal on February 7.
As many as 10,000 residents of Ullal Kodi and neighbouring areas had supported the call for boycott.
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Mr. Khader said, “There was miscommunication about steps I had taken with regard to arrest of innocent persons. While assuring my support to their cause, I asked them to withdraw the call for boycott,” he said.