Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)
Puttur, Jun 10: An under-construction house being built by a woman on government land at 34 Nekkiladi near Uppinangady was destroyed by a neighbour, leaving the family in a state of helplessness.
The nearly completed house, constructed by Mamata near the water pumping station of the Puttur city municipality and adjacent to the 34 Nekkiladi government higher primary school, was allegedly demolished by Balachandra Gowda, a resident of Kannadigar. Mamata has filed a case regarding this incident with the Uppinangady police.
In her complaint, Mamata stated, “My husband, Ananda, worked for 18 years in the drinking water purification plant of Puttur city municipality, located at 34 Nekkiladi. However, he was terminated from his job on January 1, 2024, when the contractor for the water purification plant changed. Although we were allowed to stay in government quarters nearby while my husband was employed, we constructed a shed on two cents of government land near the water purification plant 15 years ago. In 2022, we demolished the shed with the intention of building a house on the same plot. Despite selling gold and taking loans, we were unable to complete the construction.”
“On April 12, 2024, Balachandra Gowda threatened us, stating that we should not construct the house or reside on the land. Although my husband lost his job, the city municipality allowed us to continue residing in the government quarter on humanitarian grounds. However, we were recently asked to vacate the government quarter. As our under-construction house was incomplete, we were staying with relatives. We planned to put up cement sheets on the house and move in, but upon arrival, we were shocked to find that the house had been completely demolished. My husband has lost his job, my son is studying for an MBA, and my daughter is in second PU. Now, all of us are literally homeless due to the demolition of our house,” she stated in the complaint.
Locals argue that the land allotted under Akrama-Sakrama, 94 C, belongs to the government and was legally regularized. If there are instances of encroachment on government land, there are appropriate government departments to handle such matters. Conducting acts of aggression against poor people due to their financial situation is condemnable.
Prashant, a member of the 34 Nekkiladi gram panchayat, stated, “Demolishing an almost complete house is inhumane. The revenue department must investigate the matter and take action against the individual responsible for the demolition. The family, now homeless, should be provided with alternative accommodation.”