Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network- Bhatkal (RJP)

Bhatkal, Apr 19: “While government is saying in the assembly that the people who have built houses and do farming in forest and government land will not be evicted, here in Bhatkal the officials are going against the words of the government. R V Deshpande, the district in charge minister who has failed to control the officials is responsible for the eviction of poor people” alleged JD (S) youth unit president and MLA from Soraba, Madhu Bangarappa.

Bangarappa was speaking in a protest rally organized by JD (S) against the eviction of encroachers in Bhatkal on Friday April 17.

“There has been a debate in the assembly regarding the issue in which the revenue and law ministers have said that there would not be any eviction. It is clear that government is lying. The officials have to study law and talk. For the encroached land, people have paid taxes to the panchayat and have kept the records of the same. The government, which accommodates people from other countries, should also have the obligation to protect the people in Bhatkal. Government’s attitude in this matter is shameful”, Bangarappa added.

“Tibetans and Bangladeshi people have been given shelter with all facilities in this land. Officials should remember that Bhatkal is in Karnataka state only. While acres of land have been occupied by rich people in Bhatkal, the government is trying to evict the poorest people. This is the injustice done by the government to the people,” said former MLA Dinakar Shetty.

“Congress leader Rama Mogera speaks without having proper information. When JD(S) was in power in the state, forest right act was not in force. JD(S) is not brutal in its approach. I was very much in support of the poor encroachers before he was. He should remember this fact before speaking”, said JD(S) district president B R Naik.

“CRZ, national highway widening, railway development have made people lose land. Bhatkal people have not occupied lands in acres. They have taken small cents of land for their housing needs. JD(S) has started the struggle for them which will continue”, said Bhatkal JD(S) president Inayithulla Shambadri.

JD(S) leaders M D Nayka, Gaju Nayka, youth unit president Pandu Nayka, Krishnanda Pai, G N Gowda Kodani, Philip Almeida, Eshwar Nayka, Jagadish Nayka, Shankar Nayka were present during the protest.

Hundreds of protesters started the procession from TFC hotel and proceeded towards tehasildar’s office. Tehasildar V N Badkar received the petition from the protesters.