Daijiworld Media Network — Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 11: Committee members of Prasanna Ganapati Temple, Manipal, and residents of HUDCO colony held a protest against Bhojaraj, a retired army man on Saturday August 8.

On Friday August 7, Bhojaraj made a 50 feet path near the temple premises with a JCB. The villagers objected to his illicit work and the dispute reached the Manipal police.

There is 3.5 cents of deemed forest land near the temple premises.

Mannupalla villagers allege that Bhojaraj is trying to acquiring government land. The path connects to another main road.

Actually, the temple trust has plans to organize ‘Vanamahotsav’ and plant sapling programmes by inviting ministers without notifying Mannupalla development committee.

Recently, the state government had been sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for development of Mannupalla region. The development committee president is DC R Vishal.

The DC told Daijiworld Media that the land falls under the deemed forest category. No private person has the right to encroach on government land for personal interests.

“Whatever the development, it should be discussed in the presence of committee members along with the commissioner. The very first thing we have to do is visit the spot and collect public opinion. On that basis we will take the next step,” he added.

Bellapady Hariprasad Rai, trustee of the temple, Shantaram Shetty, Pushpa Prabhu and Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde were present.