Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 24: A dramatic situation unfolded at Manjanakatte in Bajpe on Wednesday, September 24, when a landowner erected a barbed-wire fence across a state highway, alleging that public works department (PWD) officials failed to comply with a court order directing them to resolve an encroachment issue.
The incident relates to a parcel of land belonging to Cecilia, a resident of Manjanakatte currently residing abroad. In 2008, the PWD allegedly constructed a public road through her private land without her knowledge, consent, or compensation.
In 2014, Cecilia approached the court against the PWD, the tahsildar, and the revenue department. After hearing the case, the court, in 2017, ordered that the authorities either provide her alternative land equivalent to her property or remove the road and return her land.
Despite this, officials reportedly failed to act for several years. Acting on the court’s order, on Wednesday, Cecilia’s son-in-law, Andri D Almeida, along with court officials Shivaram Rai and Deepak, initiated steps to demarcate the property and dig up the road.
As the roadwork began, hundreds of vehicles were left stranded along the busy Kinnigoli–Niddodi–Ganjimath–Mangaluru state highway. Frustrated commuters expressed anger against the PWD, the tahsildar, and the deputy commissioner.
Revenue inspector Purnachandra and deputy tahsildar Stephen rushed to the spot and held discussions with the landowner’s family and court officials. However, angry locals confronted them, accusing the authorities of negligence that forced the public to suffer since morning.
With traffic brought to a standstill, locals demanded that the authorities resolve the matter quickly, stressing that no alternative road was available in the area and that the highway should not be blocked.
Following mounting pressure, deputy commissioner’s office intervened, and PWD engineer Hemant held talks with the affected family, their advocate Pradeep D’Souza, and court officials. The parties were taken to the deputy commissioner’s office, where Hemant assured that the matter would be settled by evening. Based on his request, vehicle movement was later restored.
Due to the disruption, buses, school and college students, and daily commuters faced severe inconvenience. Bajpe police provided security at the spot.
DC’s office accused of ignoring court order
Advocate Pradeep D’Souza, representing the landowner, alleged that even officials from the deputy commissioner’s office had ignored the court’s 2017 order. He claimed that staff members went to the extent of intimidating the affected party by saying a decision would only be taken after reviewing files. He confirmed that the landowner had no choice but to enforce the court order by fencing the survey land until the case is fully resolved.
PWD engineer Hemant and AE Preetham were also present during the discussions.
Tahsildar’s alleged remark sparks row
It was alleged that deputy tahsildar Stephen, after informing the tahsildar over the phone, relayed instructions to the landowner’s advocate suggesting that the road could be removed if there was indeed a court order. This prompted the family to proceed with digging the road, leading to strong objections from the public at the site.
Landowner’s stand
“In 2008, our shed, coconut trees, and land were taken over for road construction without our consent. In 2018, the court ordered the authorities to provide proper compensation or alternative arrangements. Yet, for over a decade, they have dragged the matter and harassed us with repeated office visits. I am suffering from a heart ailment and cannot run around anymore. Therefore, we decided to act on the court order and reclaim our land by fencing it,” said Andri D Almeida, the landowner’s representative.