K R Mills residents to stage stir again

All political parties to extend support to the cause

Unfazed residents of K R Mills Colony have planned to stage a protest demonstration on September 3 at 10 am in front of the deputy commissioner’s office.

The previous protest, with the mammoth rally on August 22 fell on deaf ears, the residents allege.

Member of K R Mills Colony Residents’ Association Muthuraj, at a press meet here on Sunday, said the protest was being staged again as no measures have been taken by the authorities concerned to cancel the eviction order.

He alleged that the people in the colony were suffering as the industrialist has not repaid the loan amount of about Rs 90 crore, which he had borrowed from the Indian Overseas Bank at Chennai, pledging the property of the K R Mills along with the residential colony. “The DC, instead of understanding the nitty-gritty of the situation, had issued notices to vacate the land.”

MLA M Satyanarayana said: “The previous protest staged by residents of the colony yielded no results. The DC only provided a clarification and nothing else was done to prevent the eviction of the residents, who have been accommodated in the colony since 75 years.

He said the residents faced problems ever since they were put up there, but overcoming all hurdles, they had been successful in obtaining essential facilities and benefits. He said more than 5,000 people from 700 families reside in the colony, which is almost like a village.

“While there is a demand by the residents to declare the colony into a village, it is regretful that the district administration, along with the bank, is evicting the residents of their domicile,” he said.

He propounded that the colony was an organised one with a temple, mosque, school and community hall. “The colony also has a water tank constructed by the zilla panchayat.

The residents’ names exist in voters list and all of them possess voter identity card. Seven members of the colony ae panchayat members,” he pointed out.

The MLA demanded the intervention of the governmentto solve the problem. He said all activists, irrespective of political parties, would band together to support the cause.

Citing examples of similar incidents of properties being pledged, he said, residential colonies were spared while mortgaging. He alleged that fake records have been created to include the colony in the property which was pledged.

“Usually inspection of the property should be done prior to issuing notice, but here it was not done.” The chief minister should repay the money under a scheme for the benefit of the residents, he added. “The chief minister has assured to provide a positive feedback.”

Hemanth Kumar of BJP said the government should intervene on humanity grounds and compassion or any other legal aspects and take appropriate measures to recall the notice and protect the interest of the people. SBM Manju, Mahadev, Shivanna and others were present.