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MSEZ: seer threatens to intensify agitation against ‘forcible land acquisition’

STRAINED: Mallapa Gowda (second from right) of Kudubi tribal community, speaking to Esha Vittaladasa Swamiji at Kudubi Padavu on Sunday.

MANGALORE: Esha Vittaladasa, seer of Kemaru Sandipani Math, vows to intensify agitations against the alleged forcible land acquisition by the Mangalore Special Economic Zone Ltd (MSEZL).

He visited a 15.34-acre area at Kudubi Padavu on Sunday where the residents have alleged that their farmland is being acquired forcibly by the MSEZ-proponents. The seer’s entry has boosted the secular credentials of the agitation, which already has the backing of Jamat-e-Islami Hind and the All India Catholic Universities Federation.

Kudubi Padavu, a village so named after a tribal community, Kudubi, who inhabit there, is part of the Permude village, which has been notified under the Phase II of the mega-project. The site is proposed for a few temples that were displaced under the Phase I of the project. Speaking to presspersons, as he surveyed the land where farmers were transplanting paddy, the seer said: “If this is what they call barren land then I am yet to see a real farm.”

Mr. Vittaladasa said that Kudubi Padavu was one of the last known refuges of these tribal people where they had retained their traditional lifestyle. “If they are displaced, they will lose their unique ethnic identity. They will be lost forever,” he said.

Addressing an all-faith gathering, which was attended by various religious leaders, Devappa Gowda (70), resident of the village, said: “The company’s people served me a notice which I could not read. The very next day they came to oust me from my land.”

The seer said that corruption was stalling the development of this country, which was still predominantly driven by farming. Advocating a more inclusive development model, he said, “Development should happen by including the farmer in the scheme of things and not replacing him.” Mega projects such as the MSEZ and the PCPIR would destroy the heritage of “Tulunadu”, he said and vowed to support the people in their struggle till the end. Mohammed Kunhi, president of the Jamat-e-Islami Hind, said: “Projects such as this destroy the human spirit.” He said that the people should not lose hope. Vinod Mascarenhas of the All India Catholic Universities Federation spoke.

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MSEZ: seer threatens to intensify agitation against ‘forcible land acquisition’

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