CPI (M) gears up for mass protest against MCC

Mangalore, August 22: The Mangalore city unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) will be holding a massive dharna in front of Mangalore City Corporation on August 27 against the alleged anti-people policies of Mangalore City Corporation.

Sunil Kumar Bajal, Mangalore City Committee Secretary of CPI (M) told media persons here on Wednesday that his party workers would raise voice against the corruption, lack of infrastructure and the proposal of increasing the water supply billing rate by the civic body.

He said that rallies would simultaneously begin from Kankanady, State Bank bus terminus, Nanthoor, Yeyyadi, and Urwa Stores at 10 a.m. and would culminate in front of MCC where leaders would address the protesters at 11 a.m. B. Madhav, CPI (M) district secretary, will flag off the mass protest, he said.

Mr Bajal accused the MCC of being indifferent towards healthcare and sanitation. There have been no proper drainage system in the city, and while the roads have been concretized, footpaths are absent. Buildings are being constructed without parking spaces. MCC has not taken any measures against these issues, he alleged.

From the past 15 years, not even an inch of land promised has been given to the poor, he said. He said that while there were around 7,000 auto rickshaws in the city, the stands were just 86. Proper allotment of auto rickshaw stands should be done by MCC. A provision of separate space also should be facilitated for street vendors, who have no place to set up shops, he said.

Mr. Bajal said that CPI (M) had been carrying out door to door campaign to create awareness among the people from the past two months.

Vasantha Achari, Balakrishna Shetty, Jayanthi Shetty, and Dayananda Shetty were also present at the press conference.