Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Jun 8: A day after Udupi deputy commissioner Muddumohan visited Hengavalli and ordered action against the owner of a private resort against whom the locals had complained of encroaching government property and river, a team led by Kundapur subdivisional officer Yogishwar and tahsildar on Sunday June 8 began work on freeing the river from encroachment.
The locals had complained that a person from Kerala had encroached government land with survey number 146 for his resort and attempted to divert the river flowing through it. Based on the complaint, the DC himself personally visited the spot on Saturday June 7 and ordered immediate action against the resort.
The officials brought a JCB earthmover to remove the huge amount of mud that the resort owner had reportedly dumped on the river in an attempt to divert its course. Strangely though, the mud that was removed was again put into another pond that would fill up during the rainy season. The locals said that it was an unscientific way of disposing the mud, and expressed fears that once it starts raining heavily, the muddy rain water would gush into their fields and cause damage. The work went on at a slow pace.
Meanwhile, owner of the resort Francis George, the main person accused of encroaching government property, is said to have repeatedly given applications to the forest and revenue departments to conduct a joint survey and identify the boundary lines to the property. "However, the officials never responded to my pleas, and now due to political influence, they are taking action against me," he alleged.
"I own 9.62 acres of land with survey number 354, and 1.50 acre with survey number 146 is also in my name. However, due to the negligence of revenue and forest officials, about two acres of land got merged into forest land. Moreover, I the disputed river too comes under my property and I hold the title deed. Several times I have urged the officials to conduct a joint survey and mark the boundary. I have even given in writing that I am willing to let go even an inch of their property if it was on my side, but even then they did not bother to respond. In addition, they have started their work even before the end of the notice period. I shall the approach the high court for justice," he said.