The Hindu : Karnataka News : `Hold talks to solve problems of people in Malnad region'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 31, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

`Hold talks to solve problems of people in Malnad region'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JAN. 30. The former Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, D.B. Chandre Gowda, on Sunday said that the State Government should find solutions to the problems faced by the people in the Malnad region by holding discussions with the residents.

Inaugurating a seminar on "Malnadnalli Naxaliyera Samasye Mattu Parihara," organised by Jana Mana, a city-based organisation, here at the State Youth Centre, he said that after the Land Reforms Act was implemented, there are no farmers who own several acres of land. "All the tenants have now become owners. So it is not true that tenants are still being exploited by landlords there," he said.

Exploitation

He pointed out that a rich farmer in the Malnad region did not own more than four to five acres of land and was struggling to lead a decent life. "Then where is the question of exploitation? Those who allege of exploitation should be clear about who is exploiting whom," he said.

Naxal activities

Mr. Chandre Gowda claimed that media reports about naxalite activities in the Malnad region are far from true. "The media has sensationalised the issue. If the Government wants to discuss the issue with experts, then it should also involve the local people in the talks," he said.

The former Minister said that he had conveyed all these points to the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and would meet him on Monday to discuss the problems of the people in the Malnad region.

The Chickmagalur MLA, C.T. Ravi, wanted the Government to adopt stern measures to check naxalite activities. He alleged there was an international conspiracy behind naxalism in the State.

Agricultural scientist Prakash Kammaradi, the Sringeri Raitha Hitarakshana Samithi President, Ramesh Janamana, and Jana Mana General Secretary, A.H. Anand, spoke.

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