Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)
Updated
Kundapur, Jun 14: Disregarding claims of the resort owner in Hengavalli that the high court had granted stay against the eviction operation in progress there, the government officials continued with their operation on Friday June 13.
File Photo
Subdivisional officer of the taluk, Yogeshwar, and tahsildar, Gayatri Nayak, guided a team of officials in the operation which continued for the entire day. A team of policemen led hy Shankarnarayana station house officer, Dejappa, oversaw security and law and order situation.
The officials said that they are yet to officially receive the high court notice said to have been issued, directing the officials to suspend present eviction proceedings, and proceed further after scrutinizing the points raised by the petitioners for a joint survey. They confirmed that the operation is in its final stages. The officials said they will act according to the directions of the high court once they get official confirmation about the same.
Niranjan, an official of the department of mines, said that notice has since been served on the people who encroached the rivulet land. He said that boulders lying in the area covering the rivulet had been found to be broken, and rocks and sand were found to have been illegally stored there. He revealed that his department had imposed a penalty of Rs 72 lac on the concerned.
On Friday, officer of the departments of mines and geology, Lata Kulkarni, and senior engineer, Nanda, visited the spot where government land was allegedly encroached upon by the owner of the resort.
Locals demand action against resort owner
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jun 14: The residents of Kundapur town, Hengavalli and Belve organised a press meet on Saturday June 14 at Udupi urging police to take strict action against the resort owner Francis George.
Vasanth Kumar who addressed the press meet said that Francis George's name is not in the voters' list and yet he has managed to encroach upon two acres of land and a river.
"One of villagers received threat calls from George over a money matter and a case was filed against him in Shankarnarayana police station. He is also into criminal activities," he alleged.
He also urged the police to seize George's licensed pistol and his passport. "He acquired 4 acres of land in reserve forest area. The resort is partially completed. Other his own house, rest of the three buildings have no permission from Mescom and other departments. The villager claim that the land is not legally converted," he said.
Referring to George's claims of having obtained stay order from the high court against his eviction, Vasant Kumar said, "The stay order notice is a drama to prevent the eviction." He also accused George of purchasing another 9 acres of land in order to use them for mining.
Bhoja, Srinath Adiga, Yogesh Madival, Ganapa Naik and Raghavendhra Poojary were present.