NewsKarnataka-Mangalore

Pics by: Ashwin Gatty

Ullal:The Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike of Subhashnagar staged a protest  in front of the Munnur Gram Panchayat Office on November 7, Thursday  alleging that the land  sanctioned for Ashraya scheme was  purchased by the Madarasa  Samithi where  a mosque was operating unauthorizedly.

The agitators alleged that the  Anjuman Majimul Falad Madarasa Samithi had purchased the land sanctioned under Ashraya scheme in survey no. 37-P 4  and was using it to offer namaz and such other activities. The land is residential zone  and a Madarasa has been built  without conversion of land. The protestors demanded that the land be used  only for residential purposes.

Jithendra Kottari, Dharma Prasar Pramukh of VHP who addressed the  protestors,  said an atmosphere of unrest has been  created in Subhashnagar which was known as a peaceful area. The use of the land for a masjid has affected locals and also the loudspeakers are inconveniencing them, he said. He also demanded that all activities in the land  be stopped within three days.

VHP District Working President Jagadish Shenava, Sharan Pumpwell, Bhujanga Kulal, Praveen Attavar, Bhajrangdal leaders, VHP Ullal unit secretary Narayana Kumpala and others were present.

Panchayat President reacts : Commenting on the controversy, Munnur GP Chief Abdul Rehman said that the   land in survey number 37, plot no. 16 has been declared as non-residential by the Assistant Commissioner on 18-1-2013. Therefore, the  Panchayat in the presence of all members had resolved to permit the Madarasa. “If at all the conditions laid down while granting permission were found violated, then further action will be taken. Moreover as the issue is before the  High Court the court decision will be final,” he said.