Mandur Villagers Start Hunger Strike

BANGALORE: Continuing their agitation against the dumping of waste in their backyard, Mandur villagers launched an indefinite hunger strike on Sunday. They are firm on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visiting the village before agreeing to an extension to dump waste at the landfill.

“I have not seen such a dastardly act of imposing prohibitory orders to dump waste. After the Chief Minister’s meeting on Friday, the district in-charge minister, the Mayor and the BBMP Commissioner tried to find places to dump garbage. Let them find other place,” said freedom fighter H S Doreswamy.

He also condemned the lathi charge on agitators who tried to stop garbage trucks near Byappanahalli.

About 30 trucks proceeded to Mandur and the rest were diverted to other places after the incident, he noted.

Shivaji Rao, a resident of Mandur, is disappointed with the BBMP’s attitude.

He  wants a written assurance, from Siddaramaiah and Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee, about stopping the dumping of garbage at the landfill and rehabilitating villagers.

“Eight people have sat on a hunger strike. More people and organisations are likely to join them to support us,” Rao said.

His relative Gopal Rao also echoed similar sentiments.

“If the Chief Minister gives a written  assurance, we can talk to villagers. BBMP is asking for six months but we can commit to only three months,” he added.

BBMP and its Plan(t)s

Meanwhile, BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana is confident of pacifying the villagers and acting on the Chief Minister’s directions on the issue. A few garbage trucks were sent to Mandur on Saturday.

Efforts are on to increase the processing capacity at Terra Firma plant and the gas tapping potential of another plant in Doddballapur, from 1,000 to 2,000 tonnes. “One plant will be opened by August and the rest in phases. The capacity at MSGP plant will be doubled to 1,000 tonnes. Quarry pits are being used to dump debris. This will reduce the burden on Mandur,” Lakshminarayana said.

DVS Blames Siddu for Mess

Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Sunday said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has failed to resolve garbage crisis in the city. “It has been a year since they (Congress) came to power. What have they done on the issue? Now they are seeking six more months to resolve the crisis,” he told reporters. 

Gowda said garbage was not a major issue when he was the Chief Minister.

“Instead of blaming others, the (State) government should make efforts to resolve the issue. The BBMP should identify land and the government should take up the responsibility of helping it,” he observed.

Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan said the Chief Minister has asked the BBMP to identify places for waste processing.  “As an MP, I will summon all the corporators in my constituency and try to create awareness on waste segregation,” he said.

Rajya Sabha member M V Rajeev Gowda said he has discussed the issue with Minister Ramalinga Reddy and BBMP. “I have assured them of all support to find solution to the garbage crisis,” he said.