Udupi: Villagers of Ulthoor and surrounding areas in Kundapur taluk staged a massive protest on Tuesday against Saligrama Town Panchayat’s proposal to set up a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) in the village.Members of the action committee said Ulthoor, Kedoor and Beloor villages do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Saligrama Town Panchayat, yet authorities have identified land in Ulthoor for the project.Addressing the protesters, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary said he would stand by the villagers and oppose the proposed plant. “We will not allow this FSTP in the village. I have conveyed our stand to the deputy commissioner. Respecting public sentiment, the project must be stopped. It can be established elsewhere. We do not want any conflict, unrest or police action in the village,” he said.Prashanth Shetty, former president of Kedoor gram panchayat, said the proposal had caused widespread anxiety and dissatisfaction among residents. He said villagers fear adverse impacts on the environment, public health, cleanliness and their livelihoods.“Residents of Ulthoor, Kedoor and Beloor have united to launch an indefinite protest. We have submitted a petition seeking the deputy commissioner’s intervention. The agitation is for the protection of our livelihoods, environment and rights, and we want justice to be served,” he said.Shetty said the MP had already spoken to the deputy commissioner and discussions would be held to find a solution. “The MP has assured us that he will join the sit-in protest if the government proceeds with the project. Local Congress functionary Dinesh Hegde has also spoken to district minister Rizwan Arshad, who has agreed to look into the matter,” he added.The protesters demanded that the government drop the proposal to establish the FSTP in Ulthoor and identify an alternative location. The agitation is expected to continue until a decision is taken on their demand.
