The evacuees of Diddalli will take out ‘Madikeri Chalo’ on Friday and meet at Gandhi maidan supported by various organisations of the state.
The procession will start from Gadduge at 11 am and move towards the DC’s office. Actor Chetan, senior advocate A K Subbaiah, Bhoomi Mattu Vasati Hakku Vanchitara Horata Samiti leader Sirimane Nagaraj, SDPI district president Amin Mohisin will take part.
The landless should be provided with sites at paisari lands and till the land is allocated, temporary measures should be taken by putting up sheds, along with basic facilities in front of Diddalli Ashrama School. The officials who assaulted the tribals must be subjected to stern action, the leaders said and added that the evacuees will submit a memorandum to the DC urging fulfilment of demands including provision of house, agricultural land and other facilities.
People protesting in front of the DC’s office on Thursday opposed the move of the district administration to impose prohibitory orders at the protest venue in Diddalli. Senior advocate A K Subbaiah said the protesters were not from Pakistan or Bangladesh, but members of the ‘horata samiti’ who came to support the evacuees. But, the district administration has treated the protesters as Maoists.
DC Richard Vincent D’Souza has been acting as an agent of Sangh Pariwar. He has imposed prohibitory orders on suggestion by MP Pratap Simha and MLA K G Bopaiah. Kodagu does not need such an official, said Subbaiah.
Actor Chetan said that imposing prohibitory orders on a peaceful protest venue is condemnable. Respecting democracy, we have left the place. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya must look into the demands of the tribals.
Tribal community leader Swamy said that the district administration is unable to provide food to the evacuees but has installed CCTV cameras at the protest site, which is a shameful act. They have installed the cameras even at places where the tribal women live.
Combing operations
The district police and the anti Naxalite squad have started combing operations on Thursday, based on a clue on the infiltration of a group of 10 Maoists from Kerala into Devamacchi reserve forest area.
Security has been stepped up near the protest venue for fear of Maoists joining the protest. CCTV cameras have been installed too.
The protesters have left the place following prohibitory orders and media personnel have been restricted from entering the site.