Mangalore: Mud dumping in river by MSEZ – HC orders status Quo on project *Vidya Dinker released from jail, petition to be filed in HC

Karnataka, May 28, 2012: The high court of Karnataka has ordered status quo on MSEZ road-cum-corridor project over the alleged dumping of mud into Phalguni river by MSEZ, said social activist Natesh Ullal at a press meet. A high court bench headed by chief justice Vikramjit Sen ordered that status quo on the project would be maintained until further notice. Natesh also said that this matter was brought to the notice of the concerned and that the order copy is yet to reach them. In a public interest litigation filed in the high court in April, it was mentioned that the ecology of the river was at peril after illegal dumping of mud into the Phalguni River. The status quo order is applicable alongside KISCO and KIUCL land.

Natesh said that as those who support SEZ claiming that employment is generated should answer as to how many local youths have been employed. “Any such want of industries should be decided at the panchayat level and not in metropolitan cities, as people over there are not aware of the ecology of the region. Setups like petrochemical industries which are detrimental to the nature need not come here, when only ‘soft’ industries are heading towards the state capital. People should raise voice against Mangalore being considered as ‘dust bin’ for harmfull industries.” Vidya Dinker of Citizens’ Forum for Mangalore Development said that the work of dumping mud into the river continued even on May 24 at night and when residents of the area called police control number, there was no response.

– daijiworld

Vidya Dinker released from jail, petition to be filed in HC

Karnataka, May 26, 2012: The alleged violation of CRZ rules by the MSEZ in dumping mud into the Phalguni river for its corridor road project will now enter the doors of high court with the members of Kulur, Melukoppa, Athrebail Nagarika Horata Samiti deciding to file a petition in the high court of Karnataka on Monday May 28. Vidya Dinker, social activist, who was released on bail from the jail on Saturday May 26, held a press meet in the evening and lambasted DC Dr Channappa Gowda for his ‘false’ complaint of hindering him from carrying out his duty. She said that it was a false notion passed on to the public through the media and that no agitators disturbed him, rather, they were asking him the reason for not turning up at the venue (at Kulur) as promised by him earlier.

She also questioned the DC’s attempt to escape from the backdoor, without considering the use of the provision of conditional order for removal of nuisance under section 133, code of criminal procedure, 1973. She said that as against regulations, MSEZ avoided acquiring 17 acres of land from KISKO to save a large amount of money, and is now dumping mud on the river bank, causing fear of floods among residents. About the report of S G Mayya, professor in NITK Surathkal, who said there was no fear of flood exists in the region, Vidya Dinakar said he was acting as an agent of MSEZ and asked what authority he had to give any report. She alleged that the day they were arrested a police personnel manhandled her and other women too and there were no police women present.

“One of the police constables (who she claimed to have seen in Pandeshwar police station and able to identify) physically tortured me while SI Bharathi used vulgar language. Also, infants and old people including an 85-year-old lady were also arrested by the police, and only after the matter came to the notice of the Child Welfare Committee were they released,” she said. Coming down heavily on the DC she said the district administration is hand in glove with the criminals and that the DC should be immediately removed from the post. Earlier in the day, Dinker and others, who were arrested two days ago for allegedly stopping the DC’s car and hindering his work, were released on bail. Asha Naik, the lawyer who spoke on behalf of Vidya Dinker countered the public prosecutor saying that it was a false case. A good number of supporters were present to receive her.

– daijiworld