Bhatkal: Despite the Model Code of Conduct for the 2024 parliamentary elections being in force until June 6, BJP organized a protest rally in Bhatkal and staged a dharna outside the Taluka administration office on Saturday. The protesters demanded an end to animal trafficking and slaughter in Bhatkal.

Addressing the protestors, former MLA Sunil Naik criticized the district in-charge minister for facilitating illegal activities by closing check posts in Bhatkal, which has allowed continued animal transportation. Naik stated that this situation is deteriorating law and order in Bhatkal and across the state. He blamed the Congress for the issue and urged officials to stop acting as puppets of the minister and perform their duties transparently. Naik warned that the four check posts in Bhatkal must be reopened within 24 hours, and illegal activities, including cow smuggling, must be stopped, or there would be consequences.

Naik also highlighted the increasing activities of the land mafia in Bhatkal, allegedly with the minister's support. He pointed out that while old land encroachers in the taluk are facing difficulties, the minister has encroached on 2.5 acres of forest land near his own school. Naik questioned the appropriateness of such actions by a responsible minister and urged government officials to remove the encroachment immediately.

Former Western Ghat Task Force President Govinda Naik and BJP District President Shrikant Naik also spoke at the protest. They warned that if action is taken against BJP workers, they will not remain silent. Govinda Naik criticized the authorities for failing to enforce the cow slaughter ban and accused them of acting as government puppets instead of stopping cow smuggling and slaughter.

A memorandum was presented to Assistant Commissioner Dr. Naina and DySP Mahesh during the protest.

BJP Mandal President Lakshmi Narayan Naik, BJP State Backward Class Vice President Ishwar N. Naik, BJP District Secretary Subraya Devadiga, BJP Mandal General Secretary Srinivas Naik, and leaders including Dinesh Naik, Mohan Naik, Suresh Naik, Bhaskar Daimane, Vishnumurthy Hegde, Pramod Joshi, and Raghu Naik, along with many other activists, were present at the protest.

Regarding the protest, Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner Dr. Naina stated that the Model Code of Conduct for the 2024 parliamentary elections is in force. It will be checked whether the protest was held by BJP without permission. If no permission was given in this regard, then we will issue a notice as per law and take further action.