JOIN US200 Kudremukh PDFs put up tents in Kalasa
When the residents of Kalasa hobli where in deep sleep on Sunday early morning, over 200 Project Displaced Families (PDFs) of Kuduremukh were busy marking small sites for them amidst acacia plantation (survey No 85) at Hinari Gudda in Kalasa hobli.
These families led by CPI(M) leader Sathi Sundaresh, Gopal Shetty and Lakshamanachar put up temporary tents using tarpaulins and wooden pillars. The act was a way of protest against the district administration which has failed to rehabilitate these families for a long time.
Speaking to media persons, Sathi Sundaresh said that the Deputy Commissioner had decided to reserve 10 acres of land for the families of daily wage workers colony at Kuduremukh four years ago.
Accordingly, the land has been identified at Survey No 85. But the families have not yet been allowed to occupy the land due to the slow process by the Revenue Department to get back the land from the Social Forestry Department. Hence, the movement has started demanding for the land and it intends to speed up the process, he said.
When the Forest Department officials visited the spot, protesters remained firm on their stand that they would not vacate from the place until the land is sanctioned and trees are cut.
The protestors cooked porridge and consumed it in the protest venue.
Addressing the leaders and workers, Range Forest Officer Prahlad assured that the survey work will begin from Monday.
Soon after the survey work is completed, the border will be identified and marked, following which the department will recommend to cut acacia trees.
The department will not pose any obstacle to provide sites to eligible families.
In response, Sathi Sundaresh alleged that the Revenue Department was not showing interest in sanctioning the process.
Though 10 acres of land has been sanctioned for Kuduremukh PDFs, they are not provided with sites due to political interference, he said.
Taluk Panchayat President M A Sheshagiri too assured that the land sanctioning process for all site-less families will begin soon.