Beltangady: Protest against gas pipeline - Angry locals stop survey officers

Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (NM)

Beltangady, Oct 6: The Pilikala villagers on Saturday October 5 expressed strong opposition to the proposed HPCL gas pipeline between Mangalore and Bangalore and stopped the special land acquisition officers who reached the village with police security to survey the region.

The villagers including women stopped the officers despite several attempts by them to convince the locals. The officers left the scene soon after.

"This is the agriculture land we have looked after for decades with our hard work. No one can ask us to leave the land," said the locals. When the police said that they were here with the permission of the DC, an angry local retorted, "The DC did not work in this agriculture land." There were a heated arguments between the two groups.

According to the reports, the pumping station for the proposed HPCL gas pipeline project will be set up in seven acres of Pilikala village. The central government through a gazette has already directed the authorities to acquire the land; however, the villagers have been firm on their stand. “We will not give up the fertile land at any cost. For this we are ready for any fight,” were the words of protest that echoed on Saturday.

The region is lush with paddy fields and areca trees. If the construction of proposed project comes up, it will stop the flow of water from one field to the other, they say.

Beltangady probationary DySP Sajith VJ spoke to the villagers and assured them that without their permission their lands will not be taken away. The angry villagers even took their ire on mediapersons who were present.

The officers however did not comment on the compensation to be given to those who would lose their lands. At least seven acres of land has been earmarked for the construction of pump house to lay the pipeline. The pipeline will pass through at least 12 villages in Beltangady taluk.

Although, the land has not been acquired for the laying of gas pipeline, large iron pipes required for at least 100 km have been kept at Nidigal, Ujire. The equipment for the construction too have been brought to Ujire. This has irked the villagers even more.

Officers including R Venkatesh, Gangadhar, HPCL officer Yuvaraj, SI Prakash Devadiga, Neriya gram panchyat president Kusumavati and others were present.