Udupi: Jagadish Shettar, the former Chief Minister warned the government to withdraw the affidavit submitted to High Court regarding the illegal encroachments of revenue and forest land (Kumki ) if not a State level protest will be organised.
He was speaking at a protest organised by the district unit of Bharatiya Janata Party in front of the DC office Manipal on Tuesday, September 30.
He alleged that the district minister is not interested in this issue and acts as if it is not related to him. He sounds so helpless in this regard. He said everything is a plan by the Minister, nothing is possible without his permission.
‘Kumki’ land are plots situated adjacent to the fields of farmers from years, the lands support them in their occupation through cattle-grazing and growing grass for cattle etc. But farmers do not have right over the land. The government should understand the need of the poor farmers and act accordingly, he said.
He added, “Cultivation is one of our major occupation and government should support them with maximum interest by coming forward to regularize the land documents and offer title deeds to the farmers”.
He said that the notice has given just 7 days. He also said notice is not issued in Bangalore region. He lambasted the government saying, ” instead of attacking the poor let them evacuate the illegal encroachment”.
Let the government work smart and stand for poor or the consequence will be big he added.
