Farmer dies under mysterious circumstances

Bhatkal - 08 June 2011: A farmer died under mysterious circumstances after Forest officials raided the encroached forest land coming under Koppa gram panchayat limits in Telmungli forest area and destroyed the crop. The raid was conducted to vacate the forest land on Monday afternoon and on Tuesday morning the farmer's dead body was found on that farmland near his small hut. The deceased has been identified as Irappa Jatappa Naik (60). According to the sources, the man was upset over the alleged assault by the forest officials on his encroached land and destruction of plants on which he was dependent for his livelihood. It may be noted that, Irappa Naik had became the victim of forest officials for the third time and his wife was also died one month back.

When the news of his death was spread, large number of people from nearby places gathered there and demanded assurance from district SP and DC to take immediate action against forest officials otherwise the last rites would not be performed. Bhatkal CPI Mr Gurumathur and Tahsildar Mr Rajiv Moger tried their level best to pacify the crowd but their efforts were went in vain. Sensing the situation, DC Mr B N Krishnaiah and SP Mr Ramesh visited the spot and after their assurances, the body was cremated.

A case has been registered in Murdeshwar Police station and the investigations are in progress.

On this occasion, Bhatkal CPI Gurumathir, Honnavar CPI Jagadish Naik, Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner Gayathri Naik, Bengre Gram Panchayat President Ram Chandra Naik, Bhatkal Taluka Panchayat Vice President Mahadev Naik, Mukund Naik, Venkatesh Naik Shirali, Ganesh Naik Taranakki, Janardhan Naik; Atikaram Horata Samiti member, FK Moger, Nazheer Kashimji, Sulaiman, Krishna Naik and others were present.

Bhatkallys News Service / Photos: Rizwan Gangavali