Belman tollgate bandh: Protest march from Belman to Nandalike; police detain protestors

Team Udayavani, Dec 20, 2018, 3:09 PM IST

Karkala: A rally was taken by the protestors from Belman town to Belman Church and then to Nandalike, protesting against the installation of tollgate in Belman. However, the police detained the protestors at Nandalike.

Earlier, a bandh call on Dec 20^th had been given by the Toll Opposition Committee which was fighting against the installation of a tollgate at Belman for Karkala – Padubidri state highway and has received a very good response from the public.

In response to the bandh call, vehicles including buses have remained off the roads, and shops, establishments, banks, educational institutions and others have voluntarily downed their shutters. Thousands of people have participated in the protest.

The protest was inaugurated by Kemar Seer who addressed the gathered and said, “I am with the people of Belman. I will not rethink about my participation in this protest. It is the fight against injustice. We are not afraid of cases filed against us or any other legal actions. We are fighting against exploitation and one side rule over the villagers who live around Karkala – Padubidri highway. Toll at Belman Toll plaza is equal to looting the people. I am with the people irrespective of their religion and political affinity. “

President of the protesting committee Suhas Jegde spoke to the people and said, “We are ready to sacrifice anything but we will not allow collecting toll at Belman Toll plaza. Thousands of villagers too have decided to not to pay. We obey the rules of law of our country and we are protesting seeking justice. It is our request to the authorities to consider our demand and close the toll plaza immediately.”