Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jun 27: As a legal procedure, we know about the concept of house arrest, problems associated with it and consequences. When it is enforced by legal authority, it comes with its own set of rules and regulations and is dealt with in tune with the law of the land concerned. Except by the order of the court, no one else has the right to confine any other person inside a building or house, as it is tantamount to house arrest. But Salvadore Nazareth, a resident of Kuntikula, Neermarga here, has been in a house arrest-like situation as a private party has blocked the path to his house, thereby depriving him access to the only means of maintaining contact with the outside world.

18 years ago, Salvadore Nazareth bought a piece of land from a person at Kuttikula, near Pedamale which is located within Neermarga village. At the time of purchasing the land, there was an agreement between Salvadore and the seller that the purchaser would be vested with the right to use a road which connects the property concerned with the outer world. After purchasing the land, Salvadore constructed a house on his land and was using the said road to access his land and house.

After few years, the seller sold the remaining portion of the land, which surrounds Salvadore’s house. After purchasing the land the new buyer immediately installed a wire fence, duly blocking the path that connects Salvadore’s house. After the intervention of locals and relatives of Salvadore, the new buyer allowed Salvadore to use the walkway. Experiencing difficulty while bringing vehicles and things to the house many times, Salvadore expressed his willingness to sell his land to the same buyer. But he did not show any interest in Salvadore's proposal.

In the midst of all these hassles, all of sudden, the individual installed more rope walls last month thereby blocking the path which Salvadore was using. Since the last one month, Salvadore has been living in the same house like a person who is under house arrest as he is unable to come out of his house. Till some days back, his relatives used to bring grocery items for him but the new owner of the adjacent property warned them against using his property for supplying things to Salvadore. After his relatives were asked not to access the land of his neighbour, Salvadore himself is compelled to jump over the rope wall once a week to bring groceries and other items for his survival.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Salvadore said, “I am 60-year-old now. My children are living abroad and I am alone at home. Last month onward I have been facing house arrest-like situation and am unable to move out from my house. The private person who has acquired the adjacent property has blocked all ways of access to my house, which connects Pedamale junction. He dug the soil of the path and blocked it with aluminium sheets. I do not want his land. I am just requesting access to the path and entry of vehicles which I normally use to go to hospital.”

“As per law, blocking the movements of a person, that too an elderly man, and confining him to one place is an offence. This is a senseless act by the individual who has been defying humanitarian values. Local people's representatives and the administration should intervene on this issue immediately. The current situation poses danger for Salvadore's life because he is living alone and suffers from many health issues,” says a neighbour.