Evicted farmer’s family goes on fast, 2 hospitalised
Robbery case may be filed against KIADB
All the seven family members of Gregory Patrao (49), a farmer, whose house was demolished by Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board on Wednesday, went on fast on Thursday.
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 (seven cows, two buffalos and two oxen) and 50 to 60 chicken and four dogs too are wandering in the region as the cattle shed too has been demolished.
Though the police tried to persuade the family members not to go on fast, the family members refused to take food. “When our house has been razed to ground and our fertile land has been snatched away, why should we eat or drink,” Gregory Patrao told Deccan Herald in a feeble voice.
Patrao said though the officials had showed them a house for temporary stay, the family will not to there as ‘goondas’ had surrounded the area. “Morever, what will I do with my cattle and buffalos,” he rued.
Compensation partly paid
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 the 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. But the structures with door numbers were demolished on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the family is understood to have planned to file robbery case against the KIADB officials.
“We still don’t know where our belongings are,” said Gregory who claimed that there was about 175 bags of arecanut and 20 bags of rice besides other commodities.
While the government proclaims that it will not use force to evict farmers, it has resorted to forcible eviction in this case. “Isn’t it violation of human rights?,” William Pais, a social activist, questioned.
Kemar seer Eesha Vittaladasa Swamiji who visited the family regretted that “goonda culture” exists in State and it is following anti-farmer policies.
