Karnataka - Mangalore   

Good turnout at booths in MSEZ-notified villages

MANGALORE: Voters in villages notified for acquisition of land for the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) did not shy away from voting on Friday. They are reported to have voted in large numbers, although they have been opposing the acquisition.

Most booths in these villages recorded between 40 per cent and 50 per cent voting by noon. The areas notified for acquisition are Tenka Ekkaru, Permude, Delantabettu and Kuthethur villages in Moodbidri Assembly constituency.

After casting his vote in Tenka Ekkaru, Krishnappa, an activist of the Krishibhoomi Samrakshana Samiti, which is fighting against land acquisition, told presspersons that they had decided not to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) candidates. This was because those parties did not come to their rescue. The samiti members had decided to vote for other candidates in the fray.

He said that the samiti members did not boycott the polls because they wanted an elected government to come to power and address their problems. As citizens of the country, it was their duty to vote, he added.

Mr. Krishnappa said that there were approximately 10,000 voters in the four villages.

Two booths at a school in Permude recorded 50 per cent and 40 per cent voting by 1 p.m.

In Tenka Ekkaru first block, two booths had recorded 48 per cent and 44 per cent voting by the same time. There are about 200 houses in the block. Earlier, this block was under the Surathkal Assembly constituency.

Voters in Badagu Ekkar were seen headed for the polling booth. This village has not been notified for the project. Two booths in a school in this village recorded 50 per cent 47 per cent voting by noon.

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