Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Nov 21: “Officials and contractors of large organizations in the district are found taking help from the underworld to threaten people when faced with obstacles while implementing their projects. The district administration and the police should take the matter seriously and provide protection to the defenseless farmer community in rural areas,” urged Deviprasad Shetty, district JD(S) president, Udupi.
“While implementing MRPL and UPCL projects, they succeeded by using this strategy of threats. There was a case registered in the police station for threats made using a revolver. Though the union government and the Supreme Court have clearly stated that no projects should be implemented by force, people in our districts are scared while protecting their own agricultural lands”, he said.
“The same strategy is being used in Padooru Pipeline and electric high tension line projects. Company officials have taken help from underworld rowdies through some local small time rowdies in order to get the projects implemented,” added Shetty.
“Even in the dangerous stone crusher project implementation, Mumbai origin contractor Gulshan and local-sub contractor, Mangaluru origin Shakeel have made threatening calls through the underworld to arouse fear among local protesters. This should be condemned,” he stated.
“An unscientific survey is being conducted with regard to the pipeline passing through the fertile farm land in 24 villages. No information as to the compensation or pros and cons of the project have been explained to the affected people. The protests will be intensified if the projects are implemented after threatening the farmer community. There is no question of bowing to unjustified threats”, he said.
“MP and Ministers should break their silence: Our Mps and district in charge minister should break their silence with regard to the Padooru Pipe Line, High Tension Line and Stone Crusher units. They should show as much interest while imparting justice to the farmers as they have in the projects”, he said.