Kodagu flood victims warn of boycotting Lok Sabha polls

Following the delay in the construction of houses for flood victims, Kodagu flood victims have decided to stage a protest in front of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru shortly.

The victims under the aegis of Prakrithi Vikopa Santhrastara Horata Samithi staged a protest in Madikeri on Friday.

Samithi President M B Devaiah alleged that the rehabilitation work is moving at a slow pace. The mud from landslides is not removed from farmlands. The rivers are changing their course. The victims are still staying in their relatives' houses.

The rent as promised by the state government is yet to reach many. In spite of problems plaguing Kodagu district, the elected representatives are wasting their time in politics, he added.

"About 40 villages in four gram panchayat limits have been damaged. If the rehabilitation works are not accelerated, then we will boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and will call for Kodagu bandh," he warned.

"Even after five months, the natural calamity victims are yet to be rehabilitated. Not even a single house is complete. All the promises of the government have failed," he said.

"The state government organised Pravasi Utsav by spending Rs 1 crore and forgot the flood victims. MLAs and MP are responsible for the delay in rehabilitation works and they should tender resignation," said leader Ravi Kalappa.

He accused the government of failing to come up with a permanent solution. The silt in farmlands and paddy fields is yet to be removed. Without providing compensation, the government is provoking the victims to resort to suicide. Already, a victim has committed suicide, he added.

Kodagu BJP unit president B B Bharathish said, "Sufficient funds have reached the natural calamity relief fund. The funds should be utilised effectively in providing basic facilities."

He further said that the survey of farmland is yet to be taken up by the government. The officials are involved in corruption when it comes to distribution of cheques for victims and rent for houses.

The protesters gathered at General Thimayya Circle and shouted slogans against the state government. They staged a roadblock by forming a human chain and later visited the DC's office and submitted a memorandum.