MANGALORE : An attempt made on Wednesday, by a contract agency of MRPL to run a JCB in the land of progressive farmer and Vice President of Bala Gram Panchayat Gregory Patrao who has stood like a rock against SEZ and has secured a stay from the court for the acquisition of his land, was foiled by the determined efforts of the farmer.
Though his land too was included in the 1800 acres of land that were to be acquired for the first phase of MSEZ, Patrao who refused to hand over his land, even turned down the compensation and had filed a case in the High Court against the land acquisition. The court later on had stayed the acquisition process.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, staff of Soorya Constructions, a contract agency of MRPL, had moved their JCB into Gregory’s land and bulldozed a Karmar tree to take up road works. A firm and determined Gregory, stood right in front of the JCB thereby obstructing the works.
When a certain Sridhar of Soorya constructions, contacted the MRPL officials and sought their help in the case, it is learnt that the MRPL officials washed their hands off the problem by saying ” We will not stand against an activist like Patrao. You solve the case among yourselves.” Finally the contract agency, sought an apology from Patrao and said the problem arose due to some confusion in the blue print provided to them. They also assured compensation for the bulldozed tree. Patrao who expressed anguish over the incident and said “This is a deliberate act. I want the MRPL officials to visit the spot. I cannot tolerate any such move even when there is a High Court stay. If my arrival was delayed even by a bit, then acres of agricultural land would have been bull dozed.”
Natesh Ullal, Convenor of Karavali Karnataka Janabhivridhi Vedike and Vidya Dinker of Citizens’ Forum for Development of Mangalore, who visited the spot took the Soorya construction personnel to task.” Gregory is the only farmer who has retained his land here. Now his land has become inevitable for the SEZ. The SEZ authorities who failed to lure Patrao are now trying to secure his land through foul means,”they said.
Meanwhile, SP Subrahmanyeshwara Rao has sought a report from the Suratkal police who reportedly refused to register the complaint made by Gregory Patrao against the forcible work undertaken in his land.
It is learnt, when the JCB barged into his land, Gregory had telephoned the Suratkal station. However the cops had directed him to come to the station and then lodge a complaint. However, as Gregory could not move out of his land then, he had lodged a complaint in the evening after visiting the station along with Natesh Ullal and Vidya Dinker. Still, the cops there refused to register the complaint saying “Today is our SI’s wedding. We cannot accept the complaint. The inspector has gone for lunch.” The Suratkal police registered the complaint only after a complaint was lodged with the SP.
The SP has said Inspector Belliappa has been directed to submit a report regarding the refusal to accept the complaint.
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