Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Dec 13: The foundation for district Minority Bhavan was laid at Pandeshwar here on Saturday December 13 amidst much chaos and protest.

The foundation was laid by district incharge minister Ramanath Rai and MLA J R Lobo in the presence of MLC Ivan D'Souza and deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim.

However, even as the foundation was laid, students and teachers of Kerala Samajam school, which is located opposite this spot, along with members of Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha, arrived there and started to protest.

The Kerala Samajam school students and teachers said that the land where the foundation was laid was used by the school as its playground. The locals too said that it is the only playground in the vicinity, and is used by locals too.

At the same time, members of Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha too protested, saying that the land being used to build the Minority Bhavan had been suggested for building a Samudaya Bhavan (community centre) for the Sangha.

General secretary of the Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha Ramkumar P said, "This government land was for us. In fact we ourselves had shown this land to the district administration to build a community centre for us. Now the DC has turned his back on us and foundation has been laid for Minority Bhavan. We have been fooled."

He further said, "We had submitted so many memorandums urging to build community centre on this land, even during the time of BJP government, we had made similar request to the then district incharge minister C T Ravi."

Local corporator Diwakar said, "This land is being used as playground, but the government has already sanctioned Rs one crore for the Minority Bhavan. Before taking any step, the district administration needs to obtain no obejction certificate (NOC) from the MCC, but in this case the administration never approached the MCC."

Shivanna, a local, said, "This is the only playground in this area, there is no other place for children and youngsters to play. It is used by all locals."

The children of Kerala Samajam school too complained, "Students of this school have been using this playground for many years, now we won't have a place to play. If this land is taken away, we do not know what to do during games hour."

Police arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control.

Speaking to daijiworld, J R Lobo said he would study the matter thoroughly. "The land belonged to the revenue department and was reserved to build its staff quarters. In October, the DC earmarked this land for the construction of Minority Bhavan. I came to know about the foundation laying ceremony only yesterday. I will examine the matter carefully and look into the objections raised," he said.