The Hakki Pikki tribal community, staying put in Angadihalli in Belur taluk, have warned the State government of staging a nude protest if their demand for suitable land was not granted within a week.
Hooraja, a tribal leader, at a press conference in Hassan on Monday, said that all the members of the community would intensify the protests and take out a nude march if the demand was not met.
“We have been demanding land for rehabilitation for decades. Recently, we identified vacant government land near Honnenahalli and put up tents. We were asked to leave the place. The district administration had assured us of providing suitable land within 15 days. A week has gone past since they made this promise,” he said.
Mr. Hooraja said as many as 176 residents of Angadihalli had submitted applications seeking a grant of land. The applications had not been honoured. “We were earlier in the forests. We were brought out of the forests but denied decent living. If the government cannot provide us with basic amenities, allow us to go back to the forests,” he said.
Mari Josesph, convener of Dalit Manava Hakkugala Vedike, and others were present at the conference.
