Newskarnataka – Moodbidri

Moodbidri:  Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, on March 22, Saturday evening  visited Acharibettu in Moodukonaje village where a poor woman named Malathi was forcibly evicted from her house  by revenue and police officials on March 18.

The Deputy Commissioner who took stock of the situation, later speaking to reports said  looking  at the fire place and the new utensils at the spot, one can understand that the house was constructed recently. He said there were no signs to say that the hut of Malathi was constructed years ago.

As per the election code of conduct there is an order not  to initiate action in case of irregularities  that have taken place prior to the election announcement. As the house was constructed recently it was evicted, the DC said adding there was some amount of ambiguity even  with regard to the door number and tax receipt. Action would be taken after verifying the same, he said. A close observation of the receipt will reveal that it has been  corrected  in a different ink  revealing that new receipt has been issued in an old date. In case the land ought to be given to Malathi Poojarti as per rules, then it would be given to her and records will be verified. In case the house was constructed unauthorisedly, suitable action would be taken, the DC said.

To a question why force was used to evict a woman, the DC refuted reports of any atrocity.

Moodbidri Tahsildar Mohammad Isaac, Revenue Inspector Somashekhar Mayya, Village Accountant Usha, Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare Department  Gertrude Veigas and others were present.

Anganavadi workers association threatens protest: Meanwhile,  Jayalakshmi, State President of Anganavadi Workers and Helpers Association  who has strongly condemned the atrocities on Malathi, accused Village Accountant  Usha of  committing atrocities on Malathi Poojarti. She demanded action  against all erring officials by March 27 lest a state wide protest will be organised. She said there was a rule that   vacant government sites close by Anganavadi centres should be given to Anganavadi assistants and urged the government to provide the  land near the Anganavadi centre to Malathi.

Vishalakshi, District President of the Association, Nirmala Bhat, Mangalore rural unit President, Sukesh Shetty, Panchayat Member and others were present.