Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Aug 20: The situation turned tense at Ukkuda near Vittal, after several persons living in rented houses and nearby areas barged into a land which reportedly was sanctioned by the revenue department to an individual about eight years back, and tried to pitch tents there. It is said that they were trying to get house sites sanctioned to them there by taking advantage of the provisions of section 94 c.

The said effort was made at Ukkuda Darbe on Kalladka-Kanhangad inter-state highway on Tuesday night. The attempt was repeated on Wednesday, after which the situation turned tense in the region.

It is said that the above land, standing in survey No 690/1P1 and 691/P1 had been sanctioned to a person named Achutha. Likewise, land under survey Numbers 690/1P2 and 691/P2 had been sanctioned to Moidu Kutty. Citizens of neighbouring states working in nearby quarries and people living in rented houses in nearby areas swarmed to the said land and made preparation to pitch tents there. These people reached an understanding between themselves to share three to five cents of land each, and began to create fences after demarcating boundaries. After they were petitioned, revenue officials and policemen arrived on the spot on Tuesday night and asked the concerned to stop the activity.

On Wednesday, a complaint was filed in Vittal police station about the incident. Locals tried again to occupy the said land and built tents again on Wednesday evening, after which a large crowd assembled there, spreading tension in the area. The revenue and police officials instructed the concerned not to pitch any tents at the spot till the revenue and survey department officials measure the land and provide full details about the same.

Village accountant, Diwakar, said that a survey has been ordered to decide whether this land belongs to government or individuals. 'As per records, this land was sanctioned to individuals. There is possibility that some part of the land may be government land. It is difficult to arrive at a definite conclusion now. While Achuta has produced documents of ownership, people trying to built tents do not have any with them. Therefore, they will make themselves liable for criminal proceedings. They have been asked to produce proof of their ownership by way of documents on Thursday,' he explained.