Karwar: Members of Siddi Community staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Karwar on 17th July, Monday, demanding title deeds for their houses under Forest Right Act -2006 and reconsider their rejected applications for the same. Hundreds of Siddis from Haliyal, Dandeli, Yellapur and other places took part in the protest under the banner of District Tribal Development Forum.

Diyog Siddi, president of the forum, said, Siddi community people are living in Haliyal, Yellapur, Mundagod, Sirsi, Ankola, Karwar and Joida taluks from several decades. But, they have not given proper facility to live. Tribal development funds should reach directly to Siddi people and there should not be any mediator. Only then the social, financial and educational development of the community is possible.

Many educated youths are not getting jobs in accordance with their qualification. Hence, the government should appoint Siddi people in government sector. The government should construct auditorium and road, besides taking up development works in the Siddi community villages, he demanded.

They further submitted a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner H Prasanna, who assured of bringing the matter to the notice of the state government.