Daijiworld Media Network–Madikeri (EP)
Madikeri, Feb 14: “Displaced people from Diddalli should be given sites at Diddalli. When I was on my way to meet the displaced people at Diddalli, police stopped me at Maldare town and said that only a few people can go to Diddalli as section 144 was imposed. I will therefore conduct a meeting at Maldare,” said senior freedom fighter Doraiswamy.
He condemned the prohibitory orders in Maldare and Diddalli by the district administration and the deputy commissioner.
“We have arrived here in support of the displaced and imposing section 144 was like treating them as Naxalites and terrorists. It is condemnable. Next time around, we will sit in protest.”
“Though the government has brought about a project to provide sites for the shelterless, the deputy commissioner has remained indifferent. Some planters urging not to allot sites to the displaced people are hired men. Planters have occupied hundreds of acres of land and are treating the displaced people like slaves. They used the displaced people for work and make them live in rooms as big as a boar’s cage.”
He urged laborers to come out from the farms, unite and fight for their rights.
“The deputy commissioner bowing to the pressure of planters and vacating the poor without making provision for their shelter is condemnable. Huge protests will be held against the move. It is better to live in jails than live on the streets,” he said.
He said that a meeting will be held with the chief minister in this connection.
Former Vidhana Parishat member and senior advocate A K Subayya said that the government bowing to protests had paid Rs one crore and assured of permanent shelter. “The assurance has not materialized even after several months. The district administration allotting sites on lottery basis without the knowledge of the chief minister is not correct. There are 9,000 acres of land in Diddalli. Why the should not the land be distributed to displaced people?” he asked.
“The vacating of people without provision in the law is a conspiracy. The deputy commissioner is acting like a landlord,” he said.
Leader of displaced people, Appaji said that Rs one crore from the government is being misused by the deputy commissioner. District convener of campaign committee Nirvanappa said that Rs one crore given to provide basic facilities to the displaced people is being misused.
Strict security was provided under the leadership of western zone IGP Vipul Kumar, district SP Rajendra Prasad and DySP Chabbi. Campaign committee leaders Sirimane Nagaraj, Vasanth Kumar, Kaveri, Ameen Mohsin, Mansoor, Shoukhat Ali, Swamiappa, Mallige, Nemichand and others were present.