Karnataka - Bangalore   

Farmers protest against land acquisition

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Rasta roko: Farmers blocking the Bangalore-Mysore Road to register their protest, near Bidadi on Sunday.

BANGALORE: Farmers from three villages near Bidadi on Sunday blocked the Bangalore-Mysore Road for nearly an hour to protest against the process for land acquisition initiated by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB).

The protesters alleged that the KIADB was acquiring fertile land for allotting it to industrialists and thus ruining the source of livelihood of farmers.

Farmers from Shanamangala, Gollarapalya and Pichhaguntarapalya were protesting against the process to acquire 420 acres of land in the three villages. They said 80 per cent of the land was fertile and people were growing coconut, mango, etc.

The farmers said the acquisition would severely affect their livelihood as they were mainly dependent on the agriculture.

The protest was organised under the banner of Shanamangala Farmers’ and Agricultural Labourers’ Forum. Vice-president of the forum K. Lokesh said the KIADB issued preliminary notification in 1997 to acquire 1,800 acres of land.

It issued the final notification in 1997 to acquire 1,100 acres and another notification in 2003 to acquire 200 acres of land.

The KIADB issued the third notification in 2008 for acquiring the remaining 420 acres of land to be given to some industries.

Mr. Lokesh said the farmers would not give the land to the KIADB at any cost. The forum would insist on the Government to de-notify the land.

It would also seek amendments to the Land Acquisition Act for fixing a time frame for completing the land acquisition process. He said the farmers would approach the courts if the Government did not act on their demands.

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