Kumta: The war of waste disposal literally took an ugly turn on Tuesday. Angry over having the waste of Kumta being disposed in Honnavar, local residents took to streets and strongly protested against the move. The locals even forced the garbage filled trucks to go back to Kumta in what was seen as a mark of a strong protest. 

In retaliation, municipal officials of Kumta have reportedly threatened to stop the water supply to Honnavar town Panchayat as it flows through Kumta. What could have been an organisational issue has developed into a full blown war as social organisations as well as politicians rushed to support the residents of Honnvar.  

The issue had arisen when the people living in the previous dumping spots obtained a stay order on dumping waste in their area from the court. The DC had then ordered the waste to be disposed in Honnavar till the stay order remained. However, the members of the Honnavar Panchayat had rejected this idea. The DC however ignored their rejection and went ahead to dispose the waste in the area, angering the locals and resulting in protests.

Reacting to the issue, MLA of Kumta-Honnavar constituency, Sharada Shetty blamed DC for taking a one-sided decision. "Is deputy commissioner a dictator to take a decision without considering opinions and suggestions of members?". She further said, "I need the people of Kumta as well as it's my responsibility to solve the issues of Honnavar people too. But our words are being neglected by the DC and he has even started suggesting me not to interfere in this matter". A heated conversation was witnessed between the MLA and DC.

Assistant​ commissioner of  Bhatkal subdivision too reached the spot and controlled the protestors and tried to find solution to the problem by discussing with the MLA. The protest was called off after the garbage trucks were sent back to Kumta. It remains to be seen where does the dirt fly next, both literally as well as figuratively.