News and pics: Yahya Hallare

Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal (EP)

Bhatkal, April 16: It has been revealed that JDS Bhatkal unit will hold a protest on April 17 agaist eviction of encroachers.

“Officials in the taluk have indulged in evicting encroachers. They have threatened the people by passing prohibitory orders. The officials have demolished a house and compound costing several lacs though district in charge minister telephoned requesting against it”, alleged JDS Bhatkal taluk unit president Shambadri.

He was speaking in a press conference called in the guest house on Tuesday, April 14. “The anti eviction protesters committee did not come to the rescue of people during the eviction drive”, he said.He expressed his dissatisfaction that district panchayat members or MLAs did not pass by there. “The eviction after bringing policemen is surprising. Nobody has acquired large land here. They have built houses in 2 and 3 gunta lands”, he said.

“Thousands of people in Bhatkal are displaced due to construction of Railway lines and highways. They are fed up after getting wrangled in laws of CRZ and chaeological departments. The people have no choice other than living on government land. The officials will be here only for sometime. However the encroachers do not leave Bhatkal. JDS party will support such people”, he said.

“JDS will hold protest rally in Bhatkal on April 17 in order to make the problems of the people reach the government. A memorandum will be submitted to the government through the Bhatkal deputy divisional official. JDS district president B R Naika, MLA Madhu Bangarappa, former MLA Dinakar Shetty, leaders Shashibhooshan Hegade and others will participate in the protests”, he added.

He called on encroachers to participate in the protests in large numbers. JDS leader M D Naika, Krishnananda Pai, JDS youth wing president Pandu Naika, Philip Almeida, Sayyed Jainullabiddin, Krishna Hallera, Shanker Naika Betkooru, Joseph and others were present.