Mangalore, April 30: The officials of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) forcefully evicted a farmer’s family, and took into possession 6.9 acres of land located near Kalavar under Bala Gram Panchayat near Suratkal, by demolishing their dwelling on Thursday, April 30.
Protesting against the merciless act of authorities, all the seven members of farmer Gregory Patrao (49), have begun a hunger strike.
Gregory’s mother Mary Patrao (74) and youngest brother Herman Vincent Patrao (32) collapsed on Thursday and have been admitted to a hospital in Surathkal. The other family members - Gregory Patrao (49), Leena Patrao (47), Alwyn Patrao (38), Lilly Patrao (45) and Felcy Patrao (51) too are fasting and they spent the night at their demolished house itself.
All the cattle owned by the farmers also became refugees after demolition. They include seven cows, two buffalos and two oxen, 50 to 60 chickens and four dogs. They are wandering in the region as the cattle shed too has been demolished.
Gregory Patrao said that his family can’t go to any other place as they have to take care of their cattle, buffalos and chickens.
He said that the KIADB officials had deposited Rs 1.56 crore for seven acres of land (where the house, areca plantation and paddy fields are located) but structures beyond the said extent seven acres to had been demolished.
Assistant Commissioner Krishnamurthy said Rs 1.56 crore deposited with the court pertains to only seven acres land and the government is yet to deposit the money for another seven acres acquired by the KIADB.
Meanwhile, Eesha Vittaladasa Swamiji of Kemar visited the spot and demanded an enquiry into human rights violation by authorities.
Comments
They have not violated any body and have documents for property since 1923 and are rightful owners of the property since generations.
Are we as a nation so indifferent to our FARMERS who grow our food. where does all this development take us to??
Is acquiring agricultural land for SEZ in the guise of creating Jobs and better life going to be sufficient for India's Progress?can progress happen without agriculture? a paddy crop and wet fields taken away to create SEZ's doesn't do much. Is this development for Industrialists? WHY should farmers be forcefully made to evict if they do not wish to? why can't we change the Land acquisition laws from the British Era.
is this not shaking the confidence of farmers. Look at what is the rehabilitation so far in mangalore or elswhere? If some one knows only agriculture what will he do if he has no land?/ what one persons Job do? can they replace for an entire family?? can one job per house hold become equal to the lively hood they lost??
This is a barbaric act
Rukku
RSS feed for comments to this post.