Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Feb 28: Several people whose lands are being acquired for setting up Special Economic Zone (SEZ) picketed the office of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) at Baikampady here on Thursday February 28 morning, demanding better compensations for their lands.
Hundreds residents of Kalavar, Permude, Bajpe and Tokur villages gathered in front of the KIADB office and shouted slogans demanding better compensation package.
The protesters alleged that the KIADB authorities instructed them to vacate their houses within two weeks without making arrangements for alternate accommodations.
The protestors urged KIADB to not demolish Sri Benkinatheshwar temple and a mosque located in Kalavar till the people are rehabilitated suitably and both the temple and mosque are relocated within their housing colonies.
The protestors also clarified that they would not move from their houses till they get suitable compensation for their lands and rehabilitation benefits, as assured by KIADB authorities during the process of land acquisition.
Local leaders Venu Vinod Shetty, Lokesh Shetty, Gregory Patrao, Muktananda Melanta, Arun Chowta, Mohammed Kalavar Habib Kuntapadavu, Prakash Kalavar, Vijaykumar were part of the protest.