Mangalore: MSEZ has sent the land acquisition order for 1800 acre land including Nellidadygutthu Kantheri Dhoomavathi Temple, Nellidhady Gutthu House and agricultural land, near Bajpe said Lakshmana Chowta, managing trustee of temple.

Speaking at the press meet held at Press Club on October 12, Friday, he said that MSEZ has completed all the phases to acquire the land and now the people of the family and the residents are unwilling to leave the temple and land which has the history over 800 years.

He also said that the Gutthu is owned by 350 people and all are against the land acquisition process by MSEZ. The family members and residents are opposing the shifting of temple from the place to alternative place Shantigudde as per ordered by the MSEZ.

Chowta also said that when the notice was issued for land acquisition in Kalavar- Bajpe- Permude land, they had drafted a opposing order against the land acquisition process. When the meeting was arranged to save the Nellidhady gutthu, the then MSEZ M D A G Pai had assured to save the land. Pai had also promised to protect the Kantheri Dhoomavathi Temple like Benkinatheshwara Temple of Kalavar. Instead asked for 8 acre land in Paila near Bajpe and we have agreed for it, he said. Now the company work is in process and we had not staged any protest respecting his words. But now after acquiring all the land, they are back to us again, he added.

Resident Chandrika said that MSEZ had sent around 60 goons to demolish her house on May 10 and harassed the people including women and children. The case in this regard has been filed in the police station.

She also said that the MSEZ people used to come and order to vacate the land and if the people used to ignore it, then they would close the well with mud, cut of the power and finally get JCB to demolish the house without any notice.

Kishore Shetty, another member of Gutthu said that MSEZ is harassing people. Out of three houses which are acquired by SEZ, two houses have received the package and the job, but he was not given, since he had filed complaint against them.

He said that his house was demolished when he had been to a function. He has also given a memorandum to the DC, he said.

Suma B Shetty was also present at the press meet.