Patrao’s fight for justice enters 5th day

DHNS

• ACP to visit demolished site today

Mangalore, 20 June 2010: The number of individuals and associations extending their support to Gregory Patrao’s fight for justice is increasing day by day. On day 5 (Sunday), members of Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti led the protest while many other individuals extended their support. 

 
Interestingly, the seven members of Samvada, an NGO from Bangalore, who arrived in Mangalore to extend their support to Gregory Patrao for one day on June 19, continued to stay in Mangalore on Sunday too. Shivaprakash representing Samvada said that he arrived at Mangalore with six others as soon as they learnt about the injustice to Patrao. “We will extend our support till Patrao gets justice,” he said.

ACP to visit today

Acting on a private complaint filed by Gregory Patrao, Assistant Commissioner of Police B J Bhandary met Patrao at the protest site near DC office and said that he would visit Patrao’s demolished site at Kalavar on Monday at 3 pm. The complaint has been made against 17 persons including KIADB Land Acquisition Officer, Tahsildar, Revenue officials, MSEZ officials, Village Accountant and police officials among others.

Speaking to media persons, Patrao said that the statements made by Tahsildar that he and other officials had requested Patrao to take back his belongings, were far from truth.

“I have submitted four applications seeking return of my sezied commodities worth over Rs 24 lakh,” he said and added that on May 25, he went to receive the commodities, but was sent back. “I still have the bill of the day (Rs 11,500 for 3 engaging trucks) and an acknowledgement from Permude Gram Panchayat office for visiting the office, he added.

Patrao continues to live in his makeshift shed at the demolished site along with his cattle and buffaloes.

On Monday, it will be the turn of Vimukti Trust to lead the protest against injustice to Patrao and his family.