Mangalore, May 15: While a host of political leaders including BS Yeddyurappa, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, proudly patted their own backs for their achievements during the inaugural function of New Integrated Terminal Building of Mangalore Airport at Kenjar on the outskirts of the city, a group of frustrated Dalits, who had been forcefully evicted by the Government a few years ago in order to construct the same building staged a protest under the banner of Dalitha Sngharsha Samiti against the State Government outside the NITB, on Saturday, May 15.
The protesters alleged that the Government had grabbed land from Dalits in Malawoor, Adyapady and Kenjar without paying proper compensation and handed over to the Airport Authority for the expansion of run-way.
“They forcefully grabbed our land and paid us Rs.250 for every cent as compensation. Moreover, the State Government led by BS Yeddyurappa failed to keep any of its promises regarding the rehabilitation of land eviction victims, especially Dalits”, protesters said.
“The Government had promised to provide a suitable job for at least one member of the each evicted family. But, neither the Government, which acquired our land, nor the Airport Authority, which took into possession of our land provided a single job for any one of the victims”, said a leader of DSS.
He said that more than 45 evicted families have not received the minimum compensation of Rs. 70,000 for their demolished homes in the area so far.
Protesters alleged the State Government of proceeding with anti-people and anti-Dalit policies. Dozens of land eviction victims participated in the protest.
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