Gas pipeline project: We will sacrifice our lives, but not land, warn Neriya villagers

Gas pipeline project: We will sacrifice our lives, but not land, warn Neriya villagers

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Jan 19, 2014: Villagers of Neriya in Belthangady who are dead against the acquisition of land for the Mangalore-Hassan HPCL gas pipeline project have said that they would not let their farm land for the project at any cost.

The villagers who expressed their anguish at a meet with officials on January 18, Saturday warned that they would even sacrifice their lives if any attempt was made to evict them. “You will have to only implement the project on our dead bodies,” they warned.

 

The meeting was held at Neriya Pijakkala under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner Krishnamurthi. The farmers also took strong exception to the identification of their land as industrial area in the R TC. Pointing out that the assurance of officials to set right the same  has not been fulfilled,they also alleged that the officials never understand their feelings and problems.

The officials said suitable compensation would be given to those who would lose their land for the pump house.

Though the meeting was initially scheduled to be held at the  grounds of a local school as the school authorities were not informed in advance, the venue was shifted to Pijakkala where the meet was held right on the middle of the road. When police urged the participants to move aside, there arose an altercation. Later the meet was held in a nearby field.

Farmer leaders Kanagal Krishnamurthi, Ashok Rai, Neriya GP Chief Kusumavathi, and others were present.