Large number of protestors near Irpu yesterday blocked the officials arriving to hold public meeting.
Officials were blocked by protestors holding black flags opposing Mini Hydel project being planned at Irpu. A meeting was called by the district administration at 11.00 a.m at the Irpu Sree Rameshwara temple premises to seek public opinion.
But the protestors blocked the vehicles of the officials at Srimangala – Kutta junction and did not allow them to proceed towards the temple. They opposed the project in totto and said that officials need not hold another meeting. None of them would be allowed to enter the Irpu area in future, they warned.
Protestors forced the officials to draft a proceeding on the spot to inform the government that the project will not be allowed to take off by the public.
Noted environmentalist K.M.Chinnappa,who successfully filed and won the supreme court case against Kudremukh Iron Ore Company to stop mining operations in Kudremukh, spoke on the occasion and said that no such project could be taken up in reserve forest area according to rules.
Horata samith president M.T.Cariappa addressed the gathering and said that peoples representatives will not be allowed inside Srimangala area if they support the project. He called upon all the representatives to come out with their clear opinion about the project. He opined that only MLC Arun Machaiah has opposed the project and is supporting their fight.
Madrira P.Vishnu spoke on the occasion and insisted on all the Gram Panchayaths to pass a resolution opposing the hydel project and send the documents to the Irpu Temple committee. Zilla Pnchayath member Balakrishna assured that he would ask the ZP to pass a resolution against the project.
Traffic on the road was hit for more than one hour.
Source : Shakthi Daily