Yellapur : The Karnataka State Minerals Corporation issued a notice to the Education Department on June 26, ordering them to vacate all buildings under their control in Bisagodu, Yellapur taluk, by July 15. This move has caused concern among local residents.
Several decades ago, manganese mining was conducted in Bisagodu. During that time, the corporation constructed many buildings for its convenience. When mining operations ceased in 1996, all these buildings were handed over to the Education Department for educational purposes.
Subsequently, the buildings were renovated and repurposed for various community needs, including teachers’ quarters, a high school, a Sanskrit school, a post office, a KMF milk dairy, and a ration distribution center. A Veeranjaneyar temple was also built at the request of villagers.
Currently, 110 students are enrolled in Bisagodu High School. Although the Sanskrit school is no longer operational due to a shortage of teachers, annual Vedic camps are still conducted there, attracting 65-70 students. The Sanskrit school building also serves as a venue for all village meetings and events.
R.G. Bhat, a prominent figure in the village, expressed concern: “If all the buildings here are vacated, it will not only affect the future of 110 students but also have a negative impact on all other activities. If there’s forceful eviction, we will have no choice but to protest.”
The sudden notice to vacate these buildings, which have become integral to the community’s educational and social fabric, has left residents worried about the future of their children’s education and the overall impact on village life.
Local authorities and residents hope for a resolution that will allow the continued use of these facilities for the benefit of the community.
