Special Land Acquisition Officer and Mangalore Tahsildar have assured the residents of four villages — Permude, Tenka Ekkaru, Delantabettu and Kuttettur —that survey for the special economic zone (SEZ) will not be allowed until a special Gram Sabha with the presence of Deputy Commissioner is convened in this connection.

The officials have given this promise after the villagers tried to lock out the Permude Gram Panchayat on Tuesday, condemning the Monday’s move of the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) officials of initiating survey for the MSEZ project.

The villagers had sent their resolution to the DC which they had taken in the previous Gram Sabha that they would not consent to the survey in the four villages.

But, the KIADB had started survey on Monday and faced the fury of the localites.

Mangalore Tahsildar Raju Mogaveera tried to convince the protesters who were about to lock out the GP but in vein. Bajpe police sub-inspector Ramesh too explained them about the consequences they had to face if they execute their idea of locking the GP. The villagers vowed that they would not pay tax and vote, pointing at the decision of the district administration of not having any development projects in the area specified for the MSEZ.

They withdrew their protest only after getting the assurance of the officials that the DC would participate in the coming Gram Sabha and would listen to their complaints.

More number of police personnel from Panambur and Kavoor police stations had been deputed in the area, as a precautionary measure.