MRPL extension: Citizens cry foul over land acquisition

Members of the Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti has demanded justice for farmers whose lands have been earmarked for extension project of MRPL.

The project is to be undertaken in Kuttetur and Permude villages, across an area of 829.2269 acres.

The members have alleged a nexus between MRPL and KIADB.

Samiti president Madhukar Amin, who spoke to reporters in Mangaluru on Thursday, said that the state government had excluded agricultural land in the above mentioned villages from the acquisition process, following protests by farmers.

“Now, however, the KIADB, which is a subsidiary of the Karnataka government and also a partner of SEZ, has been working at acquisition of land for the sake of MRPL,” he alleged.

“The Samiti has been opposing the acquisition of land for the last four years. The notification for the acquisition has identified the earmarked agricultural land as ‘barren’. The concerned authorities have also flouted the acquisition rules. Rates to recompense farmers for loss of land have not been fixed,” said the president.

The Samiti members have also urged the state government to conduct an inquiry on the issue and to organise a committee headed by the deputy commissioner for the inquiry.

Amin said that a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister on July 31, 2018, requesting him to initiate a probe into the irregularities in land acquisition process.

“The chief minister has directed the district in-charge minister to take necessary action in the matter. Accordingly, the deputy commissioner was directed by the district in-charge minister to conduct a comprehensive investigation and submit a report. Although our Samiti members have provided the deputy commissioner with enough documents, there has been no progress in the inquiry,” complained the president.

Vidya Dinaker, convenor of the Karavali Karnataka Janabhivriddhi Vedike, warned that if no necessary step was taken to protect the agricultural land in Kuttetur and Permude, the Samiti members, along with the farmers in the two villages, would stage a protest in front of the residence of the district in-charge minister.

“A further step would be a ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ that we will stage,” she added.

Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti Vice President Hemalata S Bhat, Secretary Lawrence D’Cunha and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha State Secretary Ravikiran Punacha were present during the press meet.