MSEZ accused of harassing people

MSEZ accused of harassing people

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 2: MSEZ stands accused of harassing the public and attempting to illegally acquire their lands. On Jan 31, Sunday, MSEZ officers accompanied by hired musclemen and police officers tried to evict 8 Kudumbi communities from their land at Kudumbi Padavu in Permude, Bajpe. The families are living on 4.5 acres of land in Kudumbi Padavu.

Following this, members of the Kudumbi community submitted a memorandum to MP Nalin Kumar Kateel demanding justice. They alleged that MSEZ authorities are continuously harassing them to give up land that rightfully belongs to them.

In response to the memorandum, Nalin Kumar visited Permude and interacted with the 8 Kudumbi families, the heads of which are Giriya Gowda, Molappa Gowda, Veetappa Gowda, Devappa Gowda, Babu Gowda, Krishna Gowda, and Honnayya Gowda. They requested the MP to protect them from MSEZ and provide security for their lands.

The Kudumbi families also spoke to press correspondents and said that MSEZ had sent notices to them asking them to give up their lands. They even forcibly transferred money to their bank accounts. However, the families refused to accept it.

MSZ is targeting survey numbers 32/10P2, 32/9P3, 32/9P1, 32/10P1, 32/11P1, 27/ 2A3P1 and 22/2B, which the company requires for the construction of a road. The Kudumbi community refuses to give up their property, owing to which police officers as well as MSEZ musclemen tried to forcibly evict them from their land.

Nalin Kumar Kateel promised the Kudumbi community that he would protect them from MSEZ high-handedness. He also warned MSEZ to refrain from harassing innocent people and spoil the peace of the district. Later, he discussed the issue with media people and said that he would speak to the chief minister about it. He also informed that a survey would be conducted within a few months. Further steps will be taken on the basis of the survey reports. Till then, MSEZ is prohibited from making any land acquisition.