Karnataka: Shivamogga villagers refuse to participate in caste survey until installation of network tower

Shivamogga (Karnataka) [India], October 6 (ANI): Villagers in Karnataka's Shivamogga district have refused to participate in the state's ongoing caste survey, demanding the installation of a network tower in the area first.
Karnataka's caste survey, officially known as the Social and Educational Survey, started on September 22 and is scheduled to conclude on October 7 (Tuesday).
Shashikumar, a resident of the Barur Gram panchayat area, stressed that while he is not against the survey, getting a network tower is the need of the hour, with previous requests for a tower allegedly being ignored for over three years. Reportedly, the Tehsildar of the Sagar Taluk has assured the villagers that their demands will be addressed within three days.
"There is a network problem in three or four villages in our Barur Gram Panchayat area. We are fighting for the network. Earlier too, the elections were boycotted. At that time, the EO of the Taluk Panchayat came and promised to solve the problem. Who has not been responding to our network problem for three years? The state government is conducting a socio-educational and economic survey. We have no objection to that", he told ANI.
People from at least four villages under the Barur Gram Panchayat of Sagar Taluk, namely Barur, Kallukoppa, Theppagodu, and Mulukeri, held banners and protested outside the gram panchayat office.
Shashikumar further said that despite officials being required to go door to door to collect information for the survey, the villagers have been asked to come to the panchayat office and provide their personal information.
"The government has instructed the officials to go door to door and conduct a survey, but they are saying that they should come to the Gram Panchayat and provide information. We are opposed to it, we have already formed a net committee and are fighting for it, and we are also holding a dharna at the Gram Panchayat premises", he said.
Shashikumar said that an official of the tehsil met them to discuss their problems and assured them that their demands would be resolved within three days, which led to the temporary suspension of the dharna called by the locals.
"The Sagar Tahsildar has arrived at the spot and informed us that he will discuss your problem with BSNL officials within three days and resolve it. We have temporarily called off the dharna. If the problem is not resolved, a fierce struggle will be launched", he said.
Earlier on Sunday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the earlier caste census was not accurate, which is why the state government has approved a new survey.
He added that while objections may arise, the caste census must be conducted as also directed by the court. Speaking to the reporters, DK Shivakumar said, "Anyone may express objections to the caste census. However, this survey needs to be conducted. Even the court has said so... There is no meaning in opposing the survey."
Earlier, on October 3, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reaffirmed his government's commitment to completing the ongoing caste census and stated that the survey work would likely be completed by October 7. (ANI)