Mysuru: Strongly opposing the government’s move to take over 5 acre land from their share, deceased farmer Hanumanayaka’s family questioned the motive with a question, “Should we be buried alive for constructing Vishnu Memorial?”
When everyone was under the impression that all the obstacles were cleared for constructing the memorial for Kannada actor Dr. Vishnuvardhan, the farmer’s family which owns the land has opposed the move which they term as death knell on their aspirations.
The ancestral land is cultivated by the family for over 60 years and not willing to let go off 5 acre part of 6.16 acre total area owned by them in survey number 8. Around 30 families are cultivating 88 acres of land here for livelihood and the government had earmarked 5 care land near Udbur gate in HD Kote taluk for constructing the memorial. Later actor’s wife Bharathi too was of the opinion that the land was ideal for the memorial as it was close to Manadavadi highway.
Hanumanayaka’s family owns the land since 1932 and the records reveal payment of land revenue in the year 1970.Others records indicate forest department issuing saplings for plantation in the same land. The revenue department has converted all land documents into RTC’s, except that of Hanumanayaka who died during computerisation period and family members did not insist on it.
The family members of Hanumanayaka insist that they are the rightful owners of the said land even today. The family has decided to move court if the district administration goes ahead with taking over the land for memorial.
Reacting on the developments, family members hinted that the government is planning to bury them alive while constructing the memorial. Hanumanayaka’s grandson Sannappa said the family will move court as it has no other option if the government goes ahead with the plan. They will have no means for survival if government takes over the land, he rued.
Responding on the developments, Mysuru DC Randeep showed ignorance over rightful land holders and said the process of handing over the property to information department was in progress.
