Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 11: The protest spearheaded by Asif Apatbandhava demanding to remove the tollgate functioning near NITK Surathkal entered the fourth day on Thursday February 10. This protest is being held without any break all the 24 hours of the day.

Leaders of various organizations who made a beeline for the spot where the protest is continuing in the morning, extended their support. Asif Apatbandhava got a pit dug especially for the purpose, got it filled with water, and protested in a unique manner by squatting and lying down in the slush.

Asif said that there is no question of withdrawing the protest demonstration till the tollgate here is closed down. He said that the unbroken protest being staged right from Monday onward is drawing support from leaders of organizations and the general public. He said that in the coming days he will undertake more dangerous adventures in an effort to draw the attention of the departments concerned towards the need to close this tollgate.

Asif has been insistent that the deputy commissioner of the district has to visit the spot and receive the memorandum. He stressed that there is no need for two tollgates within a distance of a few kilometres and warned that he will intensify the protest with the support of more organizations.

Surathkal police inspector Chandrappa, came to the spot and stated that the toll charges are collected as per the permission given by the union department of highways. He convinced the protestors that the union highways department alone can find a solution to this problem.