Social organisations and religious leaders, irrespective of their political affiliations, are expected to launch an agitation outside the Deputy Commissioner's office here at 10.30 a.m. on Monday against the acquisition of the land of Gregory Patrao, a farmer, by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board for the expansion of the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd.
Mr. Patrao, the former vice-president of the Bala gram panchayat and a green activist, was evicted from his house, said to be 350-year old, on April 28 after he lost a case challenging the acquisition at Karnataka High Court.
Rival groups
In addition to the organisations that have been fighting against the acquisition of farmlands in this region, including the Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Vedike, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Karavali Karnataka Janabhivriddhi Vedike and the Citizens' Forum for Mangalore Development, several other rival groups and leaders have confirmed their participation.
Religious leaders
Eesha Vittaladasa Swami of the Kemar Math, members of the Inna Church at Belman in Udupi, Jamat-e-Islami Hind, Hindu Jagarana Vedike, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Karnataka Pranta Raita Sangha, which are all affiliated to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike, the People's Union for Civil Liberties, All Banks Union, Corporation Bank Officers' Organisation, the Nagarika Seva Trust of Guruvayankere and the 16 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), affiliated to the Bandhavya Trust, as well as students of several city colleges are expected to participate in the protest.
