Mangaluru, December 13: Amid protest, foundation stone was laid for district Minority Bhavan at Pandeshwar here on Saturday December 13th.
District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai and MLA J R Lobo laid the foundation in the presence of MLC Ivan D’Souza and Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim.
As the foundation was laid, students and teachers of Kerala Samajam School, along with members of Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha, arrived at the venue and staged protest.
The students and teachers of Kerala Samajam School said that the land where the foundation was laid was as a playground since past thirty years.
Meanwhile, members of Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha also protested, saying that the land being used to build the Minority Bhavan had been suggested for building a Samudaya Bhavan for the association.
Ramkumar P, General Secretary of Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha said, we had shown this government land to the district administration to build a community centre for us.
He also said, many memorandums were submitted urging to build community centre on this land, even during the rule of BJP government, we had placed similar request to the then district in-charge minister C T Ravi.
Local corporator Diwakar said, the land is used as playground, but the government has already sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the Minority Bhavan. Before initiating any step, the district administration needs to obtain no objection certificate (NOC) from the MCC, but in this case the administration never approached the Mangalore City Corporation.
A local by name Shivanna said that, it was the only playground in this area, there is no other place for children and youngsters to play and it was used by all the locals.
Even students of Kerala Samajam School also complained, that they have been using this playground for many years, and they do not have a ground to play if the land is taken away.
Cops arrived at the venue and took situation into control.
