Mangalore: The agitation against the proposed 4000 mw ultra mega thermal power plant at Niddodi near Moodbidri has gained further strength with people of Puttige joining the movement by forming a Tulunad Oripuga Samithi, Puttige (Save Tulunad Committee) at a meeting held at Sri Somanatheshwara Temple, Puttige recently.
The Temple administrator Kuldeep heads the 30 member committee. Dhanakeerthi Balipa, a farmer leader who spoke at the meeting, said the need of the hour is for all people to voluntarily declare that they will not let land for the project at any cost. He also pointed out that in the event of Niddodi people selling their land for the project, under pressure, then it would also affect people of surrounding villages. Even the issue of taking to legal recourse against the project is considered, he added.
It may be recalled here that even Mangalore Bishop Rev Aloysius Paul DSouza had pledged its full support to the movement against the project. The Bishop pledged his support when members of the Mathru Bhoomi Samrakshana Samithi which is spearheading agitation against the project, met him at Bishop House in Mangalore recently.
Tributes were also paid to BL Frederic Ozanam, Founder of SVDP on the occasion of is bi-centenary birth anniversary. Sunil Vas, Regional Council President, Albert Sequeira, Central Council Member and others were present on the occasion.