Protestors end anti-tollgate stir after assurance from Khader

Mangaluru: The district in-charge minister, U T Khader, visited Suratkal where anti-tollgate protestors were holding an uninterrupted agitation, demanding the closure of Surathkal tollgate on NH66 and pleaded with the protesters to end their stir on Thursday November 1^st. The action committee agreed to the minister’s plea to end the unbroken agitation based on the promises made by him.

Mr Khader assured that after holding meeting at the office of the deputy commissioner here, a state level meeting of national highways authority would be organized within a week. A memorandum will also be submitted to the union government by leading a delegation, seeking either merger of the tollgate or its closure, said the minister. Khader also requested the protestors to stop their agitation.

Giving respect to the request of the minister, the action committee decided to end the agitation for now. However, the committee warned that if the demands of the protesters are not met, it will opt for all options including protests to get their demand fulfilled.

Convener of the action committee, Muneer Katipalla, in his introductory address, announced that the dharna was being withdrawn based on the assurances made by the minister. Former minister, B Ramanath Rai, announced that he will join the fight if the central government does not uphold the request of the state government.