Mysuru: KRRS vows to continue stir until Bidadi project is scrapped
Reiterating its opposition to the proposed Bidadi township project near Bengaluru, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) on Sunday (July 19) announced that it would
Reiterating its opposition to the proposed Bidadi township project near Bengaluru, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) on Sunday (July 19) announced that it would continue its agitation until the project is scrapped. As part of the protest, farmers will participate in a demonstration at Bairapattana in Bidadi hobli on July 23, with several eminent personalities expected to attend. Addressing a press conference in Mysuru, KRRS president Badagalapura Nagendra urged the State government not to forcibly acquire agricultural land against the wishes of farmers. He criticised the government for issuing a final notification to acquire 4,600 acres of land in four villages for the township project.
‘Contradictory stand’ Accusing the government of adopting a contradictory stand, Mr. Nagendra said the Chief Minister had reportedly promised that no land would be acquired forcibly, a statement he welcomed. However, on the very same day, the government issued a notification for acquiring over 4,000 acres. “What kind of a stand is this?” he questioned. NIMHANS-type institute? The KRRS leader also opposed the proposed acquisition of land at Gudmaadanahalli in Mysuru taluk for establishing a NIMHANS-type institute. He warned that villagers opposing the project would not allow the district administration to commence the proposed work scheduled for Monday (July 20).
A meeting of protesters has been convened at the village on the same day at 10 a.m. The organisation suggested that the proposed NIMHANS-type institute be established on the land identified for the proposed Kambala venue at Sathagalli instead of acquiring fertile agricultural land at the village. Demanding immediate drought relief measures, Mr. Nagendra urged the government to declare drought in the State and come to the rescue of farmers affected by deficient monsoon rains. ‘157 taluks in trouble’ He claimed that 157 taluks were facing drought-like conditions, with crops such as coconut, banana, sugarcane and jowar withering in 12 districts due to scanty rainfall.
He called for war-footing measures to address farmers’ grievances and tackle the emerging drought situation. Nagendra also announced that the KRRS would organise a major protest in the second week of August to mount pressure on the government to implement drought relief measures.
The BriefWire