Mangaluru, Feb 20: The question of allowing protests near Praja Soudha figured prominently during a grievances meeting held on Thursday, where representatives of farmers’ groups and other organisations urged the district administration to provide a suitable venue for demonstrations on public issues.

Raitha Sangha leader Yadava Shetty said organisations should be permitted to hold protests near the Deputy Commissioner’s office, recalling that earlier, demonstrators would gather near the old DC office located in the heart of the city to press their demands. He pointed out that after the office was shifted to the newly constructed Praja Soudha at Padil there is no appropriate space available for staging protests.

Shetty also questioned whether the space for peaceful expression of grievances was gradually shrinking, stating that holding protests has long been part of the district’s democratic tradition.

Responding to the concerns, Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV clarified that there are no restrictions on submitting memorandums to the administration. He noted that several organisations regularly submit their representations either directly to him or through the Additional Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.

However, he said prolonged mass gatherings within the Praja Soudha complex cannot be permitted as multiple government departments function from the premises and uninterrupted public access must be ensured. The DC added that he would direct Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Mithun H N to identify a designated location where organisations can hold protests without affecting administrative functioning.