Mangaluru: Members of the Koraga community, one of India’s 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), have announced an intensified protest demanding the distribution of land title deeds to 33 families residing at Mangalajyothi in Vamanjoor, Mangaluru.

The community has planned a semi-nude foot march from Pumpwell’s Mahaveer Circle to the deputy commissioner’s office on October 12, seeking immediate intervention by the district administration and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC).

The protest follows years of demands and repeated assurances from elected representatives and government authorities that the families would receive their land documents. Despite the title deeds reportedly being prepared a year ago, the families are still waiting for the documents to be formally handed over.

Community members say the prolonged delay has prevented them from securing their housing rights despite years of struggle.

33 families await title deeds despite documents being ready

According to Muneer Katipalla, district secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the dispute dates back several decades, when Venkoji Rao, a disciple of social reformer Kudmul Ranga Rao, donated an eight-acre plot specifically to provide housing sites for the Koraga community.

The land was intended to help members of the community secure homes and improve their living conditions. However, the process of ensuring legal ownership has remained unresolved for years.

Following persistent efforts and protests by community members, the Mangaluru City Corporation prepared title deeds for the 33 families approximately a year ago.

Katipalla alleged that, despite the documents being ready, the MCC and the district administration had failed to distribute them. He said the delay had continued for more than a year without a satisfactory explanation.

For the families concerned, the issue goes beyond paperwork. The absence of title deeds has prolonged uncertainty over their land rights and their ability to establish secure homes.

The community is now demanding that the authorities complete the process without further delay.

Koraga community to intensify agitation on October 12

The proposed march is being organised under the leadership of the Karnataka Adivasi Hakkugala Samanvaya Samiti, which has been supporting the community’s demand for land rights.

The demonstration will begin at Pumpwell’s Mahaveer Circle and proceed to the deputy commissioner’s office. Organisers have chosen a semi-nude march to express their frustration over what they describe as prolonged administrative neglect.

The protest is intended to draw attention to the plight of the 33 families and press the authorities to hand over the title deeds immediately.

Community members have said that repeated assurances have not resulted in a resolution. The planned escalation reflects their growing dissatisfaction with the pace of official action.

The organisers are seeking direct intervention from the district administration to ensure that the pending documents reach the intended beneficiaries.

Muneer Katipalla extends support to the protest

Katipalla has expressed solidarity with the Koraga community and confirmed that he will participate in the march.

He said the protest was a response to the prolonged delay in granting the families their rightful land documents. His participation is intended to underline support for the community’s demand for justice and accountability.

The issue has also brought renewed attention to the difficulties faced by vulnerable tribal communities in securing housing and land rights despite government assurances.

For the families at Mangalajyothi, the central demand remains straightforward: the distribution of title deeds that have reportedly already been prepared.

Long-pending land rights issue raises questions over implementation

The case highlights the gap that can emerge between administrative decisions and their implementation on the ground. Although the MCC is reported to have prepared the title deeds, the families have yet to receive them.

The delay has raised questions about coordination between the city corporation and the district administration, as well as the need for a clear timeline to complete the process.

Koraga community members have continued to pursue the matter through representations and agitation, hoping to secure legal recognition of their housing rights.

The Koraga community is recognised as one of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, a category intended to identify tribal communities facing significant socio-economic and developmental challenges. Secure housing and land rights are important elements of improving living conditions and providing long-term stability for vulnerable households.

The October 12 march is expected to place renewed pressure on the authorities to address the families’ demands.

The community is seeking an immediate resolution rather than further assurances, with the formal distribution of the 33 title deeds remaining the principal demand of the agitation.