Protest against Kasturirangan report leads to case against Sullia MLA and others

A case has been registered at Uppinangady police station against Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya, Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole, and 13 others, including Kishore Shiradi, the convener of the Malenadu Janahita Rakshana Vedike, for allegedly staging an unauthorized roadblock on National Highway 75 near Gundya on Friday (Nov. 15). The incident followed a protest meeting organized against the Kasturirangan report.

The protest began with a public meeting at Lakshmi Venkatesh Temple grounds in Siribagilu village of Kadaba taluk, led by Kishore Shiradi. The participants, including MLA Bhagirathi Murulya and MLA Gururaj Gantihole, proceeded to Gundya Junction on NH-75, approximately 1 km away from the meeting venue. Around 2:30 PM, they blocked the highway, disrupting traffic.

Despite repeated warnings from the police not to obstruct the highway or inconvenience public movement, the protestors, including Sudheer Shetty, Naveen Neriya, Satish Shetty Balya, Umesh Sai Ram, Prakash Gundya, and others, continued their demonstration, raising slogans against the government and revenue officials. The roadblock lasted until 3:30 PM, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.

A complaint was filed by Uppinangady Station Sub-Inspector Avinash, alleging that the protest was illegal and caused public obstruction. The case has been registered under relevant sections for unlawful assembly and obstruction of public pathways.The protestors were opposing the implementation of the Kasturirangan report, which they claim could adversely affect the livelihoods of people in the Western Ghats. Delays in the arrival of senior officials to accept their memorandum reportedly led to the road blockade. The protest ended after Puttur Assistant Commissioner arrived and received the memorandum.