Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (MS)

Karkala, Jun 6: Work on installing an electricity tower on agricultural land in Inna to supply electricity to Kasargod, Kerala, from the Nandikoor power plant began on Wednesday under tight police security despite protests by local villagers.

Villagers staged a protest last week when the contractor brought in JCB machinery to start building the tower on private agricultural land in Ukkuda. The work was subsequently called off. An elderly man accused the contracting company of pushing him when he objected to the tower being built on his land.

Reshma Udaya Shetty, a former member of the zilla panchayat, said, “Agricultural activities and building construction are prohibited for several meters around the tower. This not only causes inconvenience to the landowner but also affects 250 families living nearby. Though we have appealed to construct the tower in a location that will not cause difficulties for the public, the concerned authorities have not responded. This is inhuman. The public has decided to approach the court in this regard.”

Villagers stated that the deputy commissioner (DC) had said the work should be done in a way that does not affect agriculture and conserves the environment. They expressed their intent to protest against those who issue orders from air-conditioned offices.

Karkala Tahsildar Narasappa said, “Tower construction began on Wednesday after serving legal notice to the concerned parties as per the orders of the DC. Eight towers will be built in Inna village, some on government land and some on private land. Private landowners will receive compensation.”

Tahsildar Narasappa, former zilla panchayat member Reshma Udaya Shetty, Inna gram panchayat member Deepak Kotian, Praveen Shetty, and villagers Amarnath Shetty and Chandrahasa Shetty were present.