Patrao family goes on fast, 2 hospitalized

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, April 30: The seven family members of Gregory Patrao, a 49-year-old farmer, went on fast on Thursday, after their house was demolished by Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) on Wednesday.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Patrao (74), the mother of Gregory, and Herman Vincent Patrao, his youngest brother, collapsed on Thursday and have been admitted into a hospital in Suratkal. Gregory Patrao (49), Leena Patrao (38), Lilly Patrao (45), and Felcy Patrao (51) are still fasting after spending the night in the demolished house. The cattle, comprising 7 cows, 2 buffaloes, and 2 oxen, about 50 - 60 chickens and four dogs are also wandering around in the area. 

The police persuaded the family not to go on fast, but the family has refused to take food. Moreover, Mr. Patrao is worried about how to take care of his cattle because the cattle shed has been demolished.  

Mr. Patrao said that the KIADB officials had deposited Rs 1.56 crore for the acquisition of 7 acres of land, but have demolished even the structures that were not on the said 7 acres. The family plans to file a robbery case against the KIADB officials. Mr. Patrao claims that he had around 175 bags of arecanut, 20 bags of rice, and other commodities, which are now missing.  

Kemaru Shri Esha Vittaladasa Swamiji visited the Patrao family and said that the KIADB officials have seriously violated human rights. He said that the state is administered by goondas. He expressed his sympathy when Mr. Patrao said that the officials had thrown everything out of the house, including cooked rice. The Swamiji said that the government must not just stop at giving verbal assurances to farmers, who are the backbone of the nation, but should also put those assurances to action.