The Malenadu Janapara Okkuta, a forum of people from hilly areas of Karnataka, has decided to launch a series of protests in the interest of people in the region. To begin with, the forum will take up a signature campaign to gather support to raise demands that include a suitable compensation for areca growers suffering because of yellow-leaf disease and residential plots for the homeless among others.
A meeting of the forum was held in Sringeri on Tuesday. It was attended by Sringeri MLA T.D. Raje Gowda of the Congress, former MLA and Congress leader Madhu Bangarappa, activist and writer Kalkuli Vittal Heggade, leader of the Okkuta Anil Hosakappa, and others.
“Malenadu is a beautiful place for outsiders. But people here are facing many serious problems that successive governments have failed to address. The forum has decided to spread awareness among the public and raise voice for our demands”, said Anil Koppa.
