The Hindu

MANGALORE, May 23: The District Electoral Officer has issued a notice to Mangalore Special Economic Zone Ltd (MSEZ) for violating the model code of conduct.

The company is alleged to have violated the code by laying the foundation stone for a temple at Permude village.

The promoters of the MSEZ performed a puja on May 12 and consecrated a 15.34-acre plot at the village under the protection of a large police force.

The area falls under the 2,035-acre notified land for the Phase II of the mega-project.

This 15.34-acre plot is the proposed site for a few temples which had been displaced from the area coming under the Phase I of the project.

The protection was provided to the company officials after the displaced people of the village began protesting against the alleged forcible acquisition of their lands for building the temples.

The chief operating officer of the company has, however, denied the alleged violation of code.

Complaint filed

The aggrieved village people on Thursday filed a complaint against the Rehabilitation and Resettlement executive of the company, Raghavendra Holla. In a representation to the Superintendent of Police, N. Sathish Kumar, they have alleged that Mr. Holla had threatened them with dire consequences if they did not sell their lands.

Mr. Holla is also said to have threatened the people that if they did not give away their lands peacefully, they would not be paid compensation.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station, Mr. Sathish Kumar said.