Illegal layouts inundate lands, alleges villager

Mangaluru: Due to construction of illegal layouts, about 17 acres of agricultural land with areca, coconut trees and paddy fields has completely submerged in Karamabar-Kenjar village near Bajpe.
"We have approached all government officials so far demanding action against the owner of the layout but it has fallen on deaf ears," said Bhoja V Salian, land owner.
Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday he complained: "Since the past one decade rainwater from the main road and the surrounding areas flows from one field to another field through a small canal and then through our field and then then through the land belonging to Gulabi Shetty and Gopi Shetty (owners of layout),before joining a bigger canal. However, this year, grandson of land owners Vinodh Shetty has filled m ud upto 5-ft in their agricultural land in order to convert itinto residential layouts. Dumping of mud onto the surrounding area has obstructed the free flow of water and submerged my agricultural land."
He added due to water stagnation, 700 arecanut trees, 150 coconut trees, a drinking water well and a pumpset have been completely damaged. Despite repeated ples police and officials concerned have not done anything to stop the damage, he alleged.