Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore/Suratkal (GA)

Mangalore, Mar 29: The much expected and needed MRPL-ONGC extension plans and land aquisition for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project received a shocking and unwanted jolt when the residents of Chandrahasnagar near here stopped the officials and sent them back from conducting tree survey on Monday March 27.

The three officials of forest department and one KIADB staff had gone to Chandrahasnagar for surveying the trees.  But the residents led by Permude-Kalvar Hitarakshana (protection of interests) Committee stopped and sent them back.

General Secretary of the committee Joseph Albuquerque, vice president R N Shetty, organizing secretary Ullas R Shetty, Hariprasad Shetty, Dony Suares, Gregory Patrao and Deepak Permude led the protest.

The sources also said that the horticulture department is yet to conduct survey work in the same area.

Earlier the residents had also boycotted the meeting held in the city to determine compensation for land and trees on Wednesday March 22.  The committee has been demanding that deputy commissioner should personally visit the area and review the situation. 

Accordingly, they opposed the KIADB decision to conduct survey before DC's visit to the area.