6 years on, no breakthrough in Devarabalu region

DHNS

• The naxal package announced by govt remains only on paper, allege villagers

 

Siddapura (Udupi dist), 22 June 2011: Devarabalu is a remote village situated on the foothills of Western Ghats in Kundapur taluk.

A wooden footbridge that provides connectivity to Devarabalu. DH photoThe infamous Devarabalu encounter took place on this day (June 23) six years ago.

Unfortunately, Devarabalu encounter is remembered not because of the events that took place later, but because of what did not happen in the next six years.

It was on June 23, 2005, two young Naxalites in the age group of 24-26 ‘sacrificed’ their lives for the sake of ideologies they believed in. However, the basic facilities are still a mirage to the traditional dwellers of Devarabalu.

The traditional dwellers of Kattinadi, Ramanahaklu, Kabbinale, Neerkodlu, Bommanahalla and Devarabalu are yet to come in contact with the modern lifestyle due to the lack of facilities. The development programmes of the government, the assurances of the elected representatives, officials who came near the people in the name of janasamparka meetings and other development programmes have not made any difference to the lives of these villagers.

The development programmes of the government are yet to reach them. More than 60 houses in the village belonging to backward classes of Hasla, Marati community are sufffering from the problem of title deeds, lack of connecting road and lack of electricity. Though a road has been sanctioned under Sadak yojane from Chakramaidan to Hosabalu Ramana Ramanahaklu, no work has been undertaken so far.   To connect Devarabalu, the villagers still use a footbridge made of wood. The connecting road from Kamalashile Yadageri has been asphalted under Sadak scheme.

After the Devarabalu encounter, the government which had committed to the integrated development of Devarabalu had announced Naxal package to carry out development works. However, the villagers feel that the funds have been misappropriated.

The villagers will have to waste entire day to go to town to get day today materials. Hence, the villagers get the needed ration once in a week. From Devarabalu, the natives have to walk for five kilometre to reach Hallihole bus stop. They still carry patients from the village to Hallihole government hospital. In case of emergency, they have to take the ill to the Kundapur for further treatment.  Devarabalu is surrounded by Kubja and Chakrada river.

As a result, Devarabalu, Kattinadi, Ramanahaklu become islands during monsoon.  A bridge was constructed in the region few years ago. However, the bridge is so narrow that it can not even be used for plying two-wheelers. The villagers use two wooden foot bridge to reach their houses. However, the footbridge gets inundated during heavy rains. The villagers who have been residing in the region from time immeorial are still waiting for title deeds.