Mangaluru: The protest against the Surathkal Toll Gate got worse after several protesters managed to get past the barricade that was set up to stop them near NIT-K on Tuesday October 18.
The protesters reached the toll after crossing the barricade.
According to sources, Congress leader Mithun Rai climbed the toll gate and raised slogans. Police arrested several protesters in the incident.
Ivan D’Souza, a former MLC, Muneer Katipalla, Imthiyaz, Sunil Kumar Bajal, Vinay Kumar Sorake, a former MLA, and Dinesh Ullepady were arrested.
Traffic movement was interrupted for over 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, MLA, and Deputy Leader of Opposition U. T. Khadar said, “When I raised the issue about Surathkal toll in the House of Assembly, the Government it as unauthorised and illegal. But due to some technical reasons, they said that they need time to remove the toll gate. The Deputy Commissioner should have immediately called a meeting of the National Highway Officers regarding this and tried to overcome the technical reason for clearing the toll.” MLA added that the DC was negligent and the cause of all these confusions.
U. T. Khadar asked the Deputy Commissioner to immediately take all of them into confidence without suppressing the rights of the justice seeking protesters through the Police Department and call a meeting with the officials of the National Highways, people’s representatives and the protesters.
Khadar also said that MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, who is in a responsible position, should clear the confusion. It is not right to confuse the people further by stating that he will go to court in this regard, he added.
