Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Aug 29: Four villagers of Kuthlur under the banner of Adivasi Hakkugala Samanvaya Samithi held a press conference here on Wednesday August 29 and said that the Malekudiya families residing in Kuthlur village of Naravi gram panchayat in Beltangady taluk are not ready to give away their land, even if they are paid substantial compensation by the government.
 
During a recent visit by the chief minister, a Malekudiya woman had applied for a compensation of Rs 10 lac with two acre land and employment in return for her land. Poovappa Malekudiya, president of Grama Samithi said that it was the woman's individual opinion and had no connection with the opinion of other villagers.

Vittal Malekudiya, Sudhakar Malekudiya, secretary of Grama Samithi, Vasanth Nada, taluk president, Shekar L, taluk convener were also present during the press meet.
 
Poovappa claimed that though their villages are without basic facilities, they have been engaged in agriculture without harming the nature.

"But the government has been trying to evacuate them from their land. After the announcement of Kudremukh national park, the district administration has been torturing the villagers," he said.

"Also, on the pretext of eliminating naxal activities, villagers have been tortured by the police. Under no circumstance will the Malekudiyas leave the forest which they have inhabited," he declared.

However, when a reporter enquired about a good number of applicants who were ready to accept compensation and come into the mainstream society ensuring good education for their children, the members were not aware of the matter and insisted on their original argument.
 
In a statement issued through a press note, they demanded that the tiger project be cancelled and that title deeds be given to them. "Stop torturing us in the name of interrogation for any suspected naxal connection, and do not go ahead with tourism projects. Also, provide us with prior information on Jana Samparka Sabhe," they stated.
 
In a note submitted to the press, they complained that the DC had promised solar equipment, but to no avail. "No development is taking place in the naxal-infested areas even though the government announces packages amounting to lacs and crores every year," they stated.