Farmers stage protest in Belagavi seeking fair land compensation
Some farmers staged a protest against improper land acquisition compensation in Belagavi on Wednesday by bringing cattle to the office of the Irrigation Department. Farmers
Some farmers staged a protest against improper land acquisition compensation in Belagavi on Wednesday by bringing cattle to the office of the Irrigation Department. Farmers from Mastaholi and surrounding villages staged the protest with their cattle at the office of the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited North Zone, demanding fair compensation and rehabilitation of farmers who lost their land to the Hidkal Dam Project. The all-night dharna that began on Tuesday night entered the second day on Wednesday.
Over 500 farmers from Mastaholi, Gudaganatti, Beeranaholi, Suthagatti and Jarakiholi villages raised slogans against Irrigation Department officials and expressed their anger. They accused officers of deliberately fixing low rates for acquired land and delaying compensation. They said that their agricultural land has been acquired for various development projects decades ago but, adequate compensation has not been given yet. They demanded fair compensation, rehabilitation and a permanent solution to all the pending issues of the land-losing farmers.
A large number of women farmers participated in the protest. Meanwhile, the protestors began cooking and eating breakfast on the premises of the irrigation office itself. Farmers told Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan that they are facing problems as their land has been taken away but, they have not received proper compensation. Some farmers received zero compensation, they said. Roshan told them that a comprehensive review of the actions of the officers in the Irrigation Department will be carried out and appropriate action taken.
He yielded to their demand of convening a meeting of officers and farmers leaders in Belagavi on Thursday evening. Leaders Balesh Mavanure, Santosh Patil, Malagouda Patil, Balesh Patil, Uday Hiremath, Siddaling Bennadi, Raju Huddar, Baram Mungari, Balesh Pachchapure, Patreppa Maladani, Sunil Koli, Dundappa Patil, Balesh Halakarani, Balesh Bambargi, Appaiah Guthi, Ningannagouda Patil and others participated.
The BriefWire