Demanding provision of basic amenities in Krishnappa Layout in Haandi village in Kelaguru Gram Panchayat limits and earmarking land for a crematorium, residents staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioners’ office.

In the village which comes under Aldoor Hobli of Chikmagalur taluk, over 150 families have been eking out a living as daily wage earners since the last 25 years. However, none of the officials have come forward to ensure basic amenities for the layout, they mentioned in the memorandum submitted to the DC. 

The protesters demanded that permanent drinking water facility, community hall and an anganwadi building must be ensured for the Krishnappa Layout. Moreover, two acres of the barren land coming under survey number 448 must be reserved as playground for school children, they demanded.

The residents have to travel upto three miles to reach the crematorium. Hence, to solve the problem, out of the 15 acres of Gomala land under survey number 427, 5 acres of land must be reserved for a crematorium. The rest of the land must be used to provide houses for those who do not own a house, they demanded. 

Already, some parts of the government land has been encroached upon. Since most of the residents are daily wage earners, eligible families must be provided BPL cards and the Gomala land must be allowed for grazing of the cattle owned by the residents, the protesters said. 

Vijay, Anand, Lakshman and Suresh addressed the protesters.  Karnataka Raitha Sangha district vice-president Uddappa, secretary Suresh, Umesh Kumar of Kranthikari Yuvajana Ranga, Pramila, Varija and H M Lakshmamma  led the protesters.