Special Economic Zones: Yet another public protest near DC Office

10.05.10 Mangalore : Gregory Patrao led a small group of protesters at DCO today. There are pretests and public demonstrations galore at the DC office gates these days in sunny weather. On Monday afternoon, soon after a morning protest, another demonstration has taken place on the popular theme of opposing SEZs in D.K dt. and on the West Coast as a whole. Even Goa does not want SEZs in spite of approvals and plans by a Central Govt. Here in Mangalore, the people are in fear of SEZs because they involve acquisition of valuable lands and cause unemployment among the displaced families (as in MRPL case).

The speakers at the local rally today conducted in a hurry, referred to the passing of  SEZ Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Monday (May 10), without proper lengthy discussions in national Parliament!. The speakers included in protest were A.N. Prakash, Rev. Fr. Vinod, Hemalatha Bhat, Vincent, Vani Periday and Fr. Anil.

They informed in a press release and in speeches later on that during the last 5-year period 353 SEZs were sanctioned by the UPA only to invite people’s wrath and political collapse.  Over 600 SEZs are expected to come up as per recognition given to them on paper by the Union Govt. the SEZ  bill and Land Mafia swindling  in land acquisition in many states (South and North India) have created a sullen atmosphere among common people (Aam Admi) in India. Hence a protest meeting was arrange by workers and leaders of several NGOs like Forum for People’s Welfare in Coastal Areas of Karnataka, Land Protection Committee and many others about to lose agricultural lands to the wild dreams of builders and happy-go-lucky industrialists and crooked traders, a press release said. The protesters shouted slogans against SEZs and UPA govt. in Delhi and BJP rulers in Karnataka, before quiet disposal.