Chintamani – Chiikaballpura: In a state of apathy of the government that sees its retired military veteran when it comes to fulfilling his entitlements, this is a story of NK Shivananda Reddy, who is a medically discharged Army veteran.
He was injured during the Kargil era, according to his family.
Reddy allegedly attempted suicide on August 29 in Chintamani while he had gone to hand over a letter to the Karnataka DCM Parameshwara while he had come for an event. Reddy alleged that the police present there did not allow him to even get close to the DCM. There was a brief argument between him and the police and he later went to the Ambedkar Bhavan where the DCM was again visiting. When the police saw him there too, he was detained as the cops were suspecting he could pose some trouble.
This detainment humiliated him which led him to attempt suicide by consuming pesticide. As he spoke to the members of the general public including media personnel, he consumed poison in full public glare.
According to Reddy’s family, he was tired and frustrated after years of pursuing land and other military entitlements in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur area.
In 2022, Reddy had approached the Lokayukta over an alleged ₹10 lakh demand to process his land allotment. Three people, including two government employees, were arrested.
Years later, he alleged that officials showed him unsuitable land, not once but thrice and ignored his repeated representations and failed to resolve his entitlement.
At present he is admitted to the ICU of a private hospital and undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile the Chikballapura district administration said that they had provided him with land entitlements on two occasions, which he squarely refused stating that the lands were unsuitable. There is no provision for getting him land of his choice, said an officer who wished to remain unnamed.