Mangaluru: Montepadavu landslide survivor who lost both legs brings plea to DC after promised relief fails to arrive
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Nov 19, 2025: A woman from Montepadavu in Manjanady, who lost her two children and both her legs in a devastating landslide, continues to struggle as government officials and public representatives allegedly ignore their earlier assurances of support.
Ashwini, a resident of Montepadavu, lost the stability of her entire life due to a disaster that was not of her making. The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall on May 30, destroyed her house in the early hours of the morning. Ashwini’s two young children and her mother-in-law, who were trapped under the collapsed house, died on the spot. Her father-in-law, Kanthappa Poojary, survived but lost one leg. Ashwini herself spent two months in hospital, where both her legs had to be amputated.
Although officials and elected representatives who visited the site had promised compensation and a new house, those assurances remain unfulfilled. Her medical expenses amounted to ₹17 lakh, of which only ₹2.5 lakh was provided by the government. The remaining amount was covered by donations from organisations and well-wishers.
Local residents and activists have alleged that the landslide occurred due to an unscientific road constructed above the hillside by the Manjanady Panchayat. Following a written complaint submitted to the state Chief Secretary, the Ullal Tahsildar and the Zilla Panchayat Executive Engineer were directed to submit a report. However, activists claim that the officials manipulated their report to shield local authorities.
The report submitted to the government stated that the road was not responsible for the landslide, claiming no JCB was used and the road was built manually. It further stated that the road was originally laid in 2009 and was only concretised after 2021, and that there was a 30-metre gap between the house and the road.
Local residents and activists rejected this report and lodged objections with higher authorities. The Additional Deputy Commissioner then directed Ashwini herself to appear and submit evidence supporting the allegations — a move that sparked public outrage.
On Tuesday, locals and relatives brought Ashwini, who is wheelchair-bound, to the Mangaluru Deputy Commissioner’s Office in an ambulance to present the evidence. During the meeting, they urged Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. to take action against officials who allegedly altered the report, fulfil the promised construction of a new house, reimburse her medical expenses of ₹17 lakh, and provide appropriate compensation for her loss.
Responding to the media, DC Darshan H.V. said Ashwini did not need to travel to the office for assistance and that officials would be sent to meet her at her residence. He assured that efforts would be made to secure compensation and a new house for her through the government.