DHNS  

• 'We would not have given our lands to the SEZ if the protests were intense in the beginning itself' 

Mangalore, May 31: "Those who gave away their lands first (with the desire for money) made us to fear that we might not get a single paisa at the end, if we did not give our lands, rather the company people will forcibly snatch them from us. So we gave away our land, house and everything. Now we have to move to somewhere...” lament the natives of Kalavar and Permude Padavu with a long sigh.

The citizens have lost their mental peace as they have to leave their house that was their shelter, the land that provided them bread, the well that gave them water, the temples, masjids as well as churches which were the centres of peace. Nobody wants to give away their property which was with them for many years in return to some money from a company that came into existence a few years back.

But everything is over now; they have given their land and property.

Some people are dismantling the roofs, while some others have started removing the windows and doors. In some places, only the remainings of walls are standing mute witness.

The SEZ authorities had assured them of giving the compensation apart from the value of the house and the expenses of building a newer one.
The people have got the money now. But the only question before them is where to go. They have not been shown any place for rehabilitation.

They can’t remain in the existing houses as they are apprehensive that their shelters will be removed by the companies at any other moment.

Protest

On the other hand, in a recent incident that took place at Kalavar Padav, the villagers sent back the workers who had come to start works in the acquired land, stating that the displaced people are yet to receive their compensation amount.

The MSEZ had purchased 38.61 acre land in Bala Gram Panchayat limits, by assuring Rs 8 lakh per acre; and later handed over the land to ISPRL company for Rs 41.36 crore. The company that had got the land (as per Rs 50 lakh per acre) had planned to start works on Wednesday.

But the villagers protested the move and asked the workers to go back until all issues are settled.

They also accused that the workers had planned to use explosives for their work.