MANGALURU: The Lok Sabha poll is a blessing in disguise for residents of Subrahmanya and surrounding villages. Even as residents of Subrahmanya and surrounding villages in Sullia taluk were all set to stage a protest against poor network of BSNL and frequent interruptions in power supply, officials on poll mode rushed to address their grievances.People residing in Kukke temple area, Guthigaru, Panja, Madappady, Devachalla, Kandrappady, Yenekallu, Balpa, Kamila, Beedigudde, Valalambe, Nadugallu, Devaruliya, Bilinele, Kaikamba, Mettinadka, Harihara, Kollamogru, Balagodu, Ainakidu, Kalmakaru, Karangallu and Mullubagilu had decided to hold a novel protest by begging on the streets of Kukke temple town on Friday. They had also planned a protest in front of the Mescom office for power supply. Villagers had already distributed handbills requesting people to participate in the protests that scheduled for 10.30am on Friday. “With no regular power supply and because of weak or no signals, we have not been able to make calls over phone. A large number of students, farmers, merchants and women face difficulties. After we planned the protests, the officials promised us to look into our demands. Hence, we have decided to postpone the protests,” a villager said.When contacted, Sullia tahsildar Kunhi Ahamed N A told TOI that the villagers have been requested not to hold protests when the model code of conduct is in force. “We have convened a meeting of villagers, officials of Mescom and BSNL on Friday. We will listen to the grievances of villagers and discuss the issues with the officials. Efforts will be made to solve some of the issues immediately and initiatives will be taken to address all their grievances (over time). Based on our request, they decided not to hold protest on Friday,” the tahsildar said.

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