The protracted agitation in support of rehabilitation of tribal people at Diddalli in Kodagu district has taken an interesting turn. With the authorities promising to issue title deeds within a week, those spearheading the campaign have vowed to continue the protest.
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza announced on Friday that the title deeds would be issued to the beneficiaries at Basavanahalli and Byadagotta–Madalapura areas within a week. He was speaking after discussions with a section of the stakeholders who gave their consent to shift from Diddalli to Basavanahalli and Byadagotta–Madalapura. However, they were opposed to any rehabilitation at Kedamulluru in Virajpet taluk. “We are not seeking the rehabilitation of all 577 tribal families at Diddalli though we favour resettlement at any one place,” said Anita, a stakeholder who attended the meet. This view was echoed by another representative of the agitating tribal people.
The Deputy Commissioner said the basic amenities and rehabilitation works would be implemented in phases and completed within a definite time frame. There is widespread opposition to rehabilitation of tribal people at Kedamulluru, and the Deputy Commissioner said they would scout for alternative land and pleaded for additional time to complete the process. The district administration has identified 181 families for rehabilitation at Basavanahalli, 171 at Byadgotta and 176 at Kedamulluru, through a draw of lottery.
However, Appaji, who is spearheading the agitation, said the outcome of the meeting does not have the consent of the majority as they were not taken into confidence, and hence the agitation would continue. “There is a committee leading the agitation from the last five months and its office-bearers should have been party to the discussion,” said Mr. Appaji.
Sources said the government had “split” the tribal unity by cultivating a few representatives.
