The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Dakshina Kannada unit, on Wednesday (July 1) accused the district administration of failing to take any steps on the ground to shift people from landslip-prone areas to safety.
In a statement, DYFI district secretary Santosh Bajal said the death of three persons in the retaining wall collapse incident at Garodi-Naguri on Wednesday (July 1) has shocked people. “The preventive steps announced by the district administration have remained only on paper. Officials failed to identify landslip-prone areas, caution residents and shift them to safe areas, despite directions in this regard from the State government. Such negligence by officials is highly deplorable,” he said.
In light of landslides in Shiroor in Uttara Kannada district and Wayanad in Kerala last year, directions have been issued to officials to take action to prevent loss of lives. The government has failed to learn a lesson even after lives were lost following the landslip in Ullal taluk during monsoon in 2025, he said.
Even as several people live in rented houses in areas prone to landslips, elected representatives continue to be negligent in giving them houses in safe areas. Adequate compensation should be paid to the family members of the deceased, Mr. Bajal said.
Expressing his grief over the Garodi-Naguri incident, Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MP, said he has asked the State government to provide adequate compensation and assistance to family members of the deceased and injured. The MP met the injured persons, who were undergoing treatment at a private hospital, on Wednesday (July 1) night.
D. Vedavyas Kamath, Mangaluru City South MLA, visited the scene on Wednesday (July 1) morning and met the injured at the hospital later. He asked officials to take steps to shift people from landslip-prone areas to safe places in light of the prediction of heavy rain in the next few days. The State government should bear the expenses of treatment of the injured persons, he said.
Condoling the deaths, P.V. Mohan, MLC, said he will personally take the issue up with the State government and ensure immediate sanction of maximum emergency financial relief and comprehensive support for the affected family members.
