Delay in acquiring land for MRPL buffer zone: Samithi threatens indefinite dharna from May 1

Nagarika Horata Samithi, Jokatte has threatened to launch an indefinite dharna in front of the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) from May 1 if the company does not announce its decision on acquiring land to create a 27-acre buffer zone to mitigate pollution from the company’s coke and sulphur units.

Addressing press persons in Mangaluru on April 15, samithi convener Muneer Katipalla claimed that the package of compensation to be given to land losers at Jokatte, Kalavaru and Kenjaru villages was finalised in a meeting presided over by the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada on February 4, 2026. The package was finalised in the presence of Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta and Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian. At the end of the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner announced that land acquisition would begin within the next two months, and the process will be over before the onset of monsoon.