Hakki Pikki people run for safety during heavy rains, high-speed wind

Most of them stay in plastic tents, which are blown away by strong wind. They keep moving because they do not own any land or property. They want the Karnataka Government to allot them suitable land so that they have a place to live.

Whenever heavy rain is accompanied by high-speed wind, Hakki Pikki run helter-skelter looking for a safer place. Most of them stay in plastic tents, which are blown away by strong wind.

In case of heavy rain and wind, they grab the most essential items from their tents, and run towards a safer place with their children.

Something like this happened on May 23 to Hakki Pikki people living in tents on private land at Srirampura near Shivamogga. Of the 70 tents, more than 10 were blown away by the wind. Even as they were struggling to come to terms with the sudden blow, rain started.

Lalitha, 30, and her 60-year-old mother-in-law suffered injuries as the poles that carry the roof of their tent fell on them. The tent of Fakirappa, 65, and his family was up in the air. The family is now taking shelter in a neighbouring tent.

The tents that belonged to Shivappa-Kamakka, Rajeev-Lalitha, Shankaraddi and Mulali were damaged. They have begun repairing the tents with the help of their neighbours.

For the last 11 years, these families have stayed put on private land off National Highway 206. Men and women go out every day to earn their living. Some sell towels and mosquito bats at traffic joints while a few work in construction sites.

“Only if we toil during the day do we get food in the evening. We have no other source of income. None of us possesses any land or property,” said C.M. Raju, a resident of the locality.