Karwar: Hapless Farmer Dies as Forest Dept Destroy Crops - Villagers Seek Justice

Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal (PS/SB)

Karwar, Jun 8: In a heartrending incident, a farmer named Eerappa Jatta Naika died following atrocities by the forest department officials on Monday June 6.

Eerappa, a poor 50-year-old farmer in Padushirali Bengre had encroached some land in Katagaarakoppa Kerehonda under the limits of Koppa panchayat long ago and nurtured coconut, banana and arecanut trees. He was leading his life completely depending on the agriculture. But in past few years as many as four times the forest department officers aimed at his cultivated land and demolished all plants. But Eerappa with all his efforts again raised a fruitful plantation at the same place.

But the forest officers, though they had more than 100 acre of land in nearby areas in their name, on Monday again eyed on his plantation and destroyed coconut, arecanut and banana plantations.

It is not yet known whether there was any clash between Eerappa and forest department officers if or Eerappa collapsed when he saw his crop destroyed.

On Eerappa not returning home, his daughter assuming that he was at the  plantation, came to the spot onlu to be shocked to see her father’s dead body lying in the farm house. She rushed to village and informed the fellow villagers. Soon police and tahshildar informed.

Sub-division officer Gayathri Naika, tahsildar Raju Mogaveera, revenue inspector Shastri, circle inspector Guru Mathura and Murudeshwar sub-inspector Laxmana Poojary among others rushed to the spot. When the officers decided to send the body for the postmortem, the villagers opposed saying that they would not allow the body to be taken until the superintendent of police and deputy commissioner arrived.

DC B N Krishnaiah and district SP Ramesh arrived and assured the protestors that serious action will be taken against the forest department officers. They also assured that the poor family will be compensated to the maximum, and that the land will be legally recorded in the family’s name.

In this regard the son of the deceased farmer, Ramachandra Naika registered a case in Murudeshwar police station. SI Laxmana Poojary is investigating the case.