The Hindu

Mangalore, Apr 22: Residents of Shanti Gudde, also called Shanti Nagar, which is a part of Moodabidri Assembly constituency, have decided to boycott the elections.

The residents here are disgruntled over their lands not being acquired for the Mangalore Special Economic Zone. Krishna Raj, a leader, claims that there are over 600 voters here and they have all decided to boycott the elections.

Four months ago, former MLA Krishna Palemar had promised the people that he would take up their cause with the Deputy Commissioner.

These people have been trying ever since to get an audience with the official.

Mr. Palemar told The Hindu: “I do not appreciate the boycott by the villagers. I gave them an assurance and I still stand by it. But I am busy with elections now.”

Shanti Gudde spans about eight acre in Bajpe.

The land was allotted to the residents as part of a government housing project for the poor in 1974.

A part of the land near this area is adjacent to Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd.

The people here are faced with the prospect of being surrounded from all sides by petrochemical industries. They want to leave their village and hence they are demanding that their lands be acquired for the 4000-acre project.