The Hindu

• The MP seeks compensation for the loss suffered by villagers 
• "Trees were cut and secretly transported"
• "Villagers were made captives inside a fenced area"

Udupi, Feb 19: Manorama Madhwaraj, MP, has urged the Deputy Commissioner of Udupi District to initiate legal action against the alleged destruction of forest area and to take steps for payment of compensation for the losses suffered by the villagers in the area earmarked for the Nagarjuna Power Project in the district.

In a letter written to the Deputy Commissioner, on February 17, copies of which were released to the media, Ms. Madhwaraj said: "The forest asset, which was worth Rs. 30 crore is now almost missing as the trees were cut and secretly transported with police escort. I am attaching satellite images prior to the theft and after the destruction to prove that dense forest existed in the area."

Ms. Madhwaraj said the people of Yellur and surrounding villages were virtually made captives inside a fenced area and their movements were questioned and curbed by "the anti-social elements employed by the company in the presence of the police."

Gates

The villagers were not even permitted to perform religious functions.

Two gates blocked a 40-year-old road across the village from Yellur to Nandikur and the children going to schools were not allowed to pass through it, Ms. Madhwaraj charged.

The district administration should "immediately remove the gates on the village road from Yellur to Nandikur, free the people by removing fencing and initiate immediate criminal action against the theft and destruction of forest assets and recover the value," Ms. Madhwaraj said.

She has also asked the Deputy Commissioner to compensate the loss suffered by the villagers.