Udupi: Janajagrithi Samiti Registers Fresh Complains Against Nagarjua, Suzlon
Daijiworld Media Network
Udupi, Jan 12: The Janajagrithi Samiti (Nandikur) headed by Executive President Balakrishna Shetty, President Laxman Shetty and Horata Samiti President Vijay Hegde, met the State governor Rameshwar Takoor and discussed with him problems faced by villagers in and around Nandikur near Padubidri, owing to Nagarjuna and Suzlon projects.
The Samiti stated that the Nandikur-Kukkikatte road , which was developed under the PMGSY scheme, is to be blocked with gates that will favour the Nagarjuna project. This is a total violation of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and complete disrespect to the directions of Supreme Court, it stated.
The Samiti also complained that the Nagarjuna contractors are hiring anti-social elements to manhandle and threaten the residents of Yellur, Santur, Nandikur and Thenka and forcing them to surrender their lands.
Balakrishna Shetty
The Samiti also accused Suzlon of deviating from the original plan of wind energy plant manufacturing unit, and expanding it SEZ. The Samiti did not oppose Suzlon as it has less environmental implications and is more labour oriented. But the Samiti pointed out that as against the actual requirement of about 120 acres for the plant, the company is being given over 1000 acres including the forest land for creating SEZ.
'Nandikuru Mugila Devera Kadu' has highly religious importance and periodic poojas known as 'Katte Pooje' take place in the forest of 'Mahisha Mardini Durga Parameshwari, and it is religiously protected by the Panchayat. However, the revenue department has transferred the forest to KIADB, which in turn is in the process of handing it over to Suzlon SEZ, the Samiti added.
The Samiti also accused the former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and his two sons Kumaraswami and Revanna for providing protection to the project at the cost of the lives and livelihoods of the poor local population.