Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 24: After Dakshina Kannada district recorded death due to coronavirus infection, Kerala has tightened its security at the border. Kerala has set up its check post a few metres away from that of Karnataka. After Talapady panchayat objected to it, saying that it falls within Karnataka, revenue departments of the two states began survey.

During the survey, it was found that the disputed land belongs to Kerala. Therefore, from Thursday onward, checking of vehicles moving into Kerala began there from Thursday April 23.

Karnataka border at Talapady (file photo)

The border of Karnataka with Kerala was sealed and entry points were closed after Kasargod district reported several corona-related infections sometime back. Even the national highway route was blocked and patients moving to Mangaluru were turned away. Later, as per Supreme Court conditions, conditional access was allowed for Kerala patients to Mangaluru hospitals subject to norms stipulated therein.

The Kerala check post was located at Toominadu near Manjeshwar in the past. After coronavirus-related death was reported from Dakshina Kannada district, the check post was relocated to just 100 metres away from the check post of Karnataka on Wednesday. Talapady gram panchayat then informed the police that the land belongs to Karnataka after which officials held discussions and survey was undertaken as per the instructions of Kasargod district collector.

The survey officials came to the conclusion that the spot where Kerala check post was erected belongs to Kerala. As per the survey, a portion of land of a petrol bunk belonging to Karnataka now falls in Kerala.

Kasargod district collector Dr Sajith Babu, superintendent of police K Babu, Manjeshwar MLA M C Qamaruddin, Talapady gram panchayat president Suresh Alva, assistant commissioner of police Kodandaram, inspector Anil Kumar, and a number of other officials and people's representatives were present.