Energy Minister D K Shivakumar visited various places through which the 400 kV HT line is passing through in the district on Saturday and took first hand information from protestors.
Shivakumar first visited the Maldare forest where he was briefed by villagers and Basavanna Devara Bana Samkrashana Trust, Valnoor, convener B C Nanjappa. Nanjappa showed a Google GPS Survey Sketch of the forest and other places and alleged that instead of cutting 46 metres width of forest, trees were cut in 103 to 104 metres illegally. He added that due to this, many people in the area face the threat of losing land up to two to three acres.
Shivakumar assured that he would discuss the issues with officials and take action on the matter.
He was accompanied by Kodagu SP M N Anucheth, MLC T John, MLAs K G Bopaiah, M P Apachu Ranjan, Kodagu BJP president M P Suja Kushalappa, Zilla Panchayat member Kanthi Belliappa.
Villagers Bopanna, Kashi Thammaiah, Jyothi Kushalappa, Raju Appaiah and others were present.
Shivakumar later visited the spot in front of the Hermadu Eshwara Temple near Sreemangala where a protest is going on since 38 days against the HT power line project.
The minister spoke to the protestors including Cauvery Sene Convener K Ravi Chengappa and others.
He offered milk to the protestors and appealed to them to call off their protest and join him in a meeting to be chaired by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on April 29 in Bangalore.
He also announced that he would ensure the powerline is drawn without harming either the farmers or the ecology of the district.
The gathering was addressed by MLC M C Nanaiah, who asked Shivakumar to convince the Central government to take an alternative route.
Ravi Chengappa gave details about the fight of the Cauvery Sene and other like-minded associations against the 400 KV HT line. He said an alternative route for the line is available but some vested interests are opposing it.
He also expressed serious anguish over the negligent attitude of the DC, SP and people’s representatives of Kodagu towards the issue as it is one of the major issues of the district.
Cauvery Sene spokesman K Raghu Machaiah said the protest will be dropped temporarily as a delegation of four people led by MLC M C Nanaiah will go to the meeting in Bangalore.
Kodagu Cauvery Sene president M Shambhu Cariappa, spokesman K Raghu Machaiah, swamiji of Kanni Kaveri Ashrama Trust, Cherangala, K Muthanna, Coorg Wildlife Society president Col (Rtd) C P Muthanna, former Kodagu BJP president M M Ravindra, former BJP district Yuva Morcha president Rajeev Bopaiah, social worker A S Bose Subbaiah, Coffee Board vice chairman Tara Aiyyamma and hundreds of people had gathered at the spot.