Protest by people displaced by Hidkal Dam continues in Belagavi
The day-and-night protest seeking fair compensation and proper rehabilitation for land acquired from farmers for the Hidkal Dam project entered the third day in Belagavi
The day-and-night protest seeking fair compensation and proper rehabilitation for land acquired from farmers for the Hidkal Dam project entered the third day in Belagavi on Thursday. During the protest by farmers from 24 villages being staged in front of the office of North Zone of Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) of the Irrigation Department, the protestors brought their cattle to the protest site.
Now, they are camping with their cattle at the protest venue. The farmers are upset that improper land acquisition compensation was fixed and no proper rehabilitation measures have been taken up. The protest began on Tuesday night. Farmers from Mastaholi, Gudaganatti, Beeranaholi, Suthagatti and Jarakiholi villages are part of the agitation. They have accused officers of deliberately fixing low rates for acquired land and delaying compensation.
Addressing the protestors on Thursday, farmers leader Balesh Mavanure said that although farmers have repeatedly raised the issue through memoranda and then, through protests, the officials concerned have not responded to their plea yet. He said that although Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi has directed the officials to submit a thorough report with documents, the officials of KNNL have deceived the farmers and the State government by submitting fake records.
And, now again, they are seeking more time to rectify their mistakes, he said and demanded that compensation should be given to them also on the lines of compensation fixed for the Bidadi project. The farmers also demanded that the officials who have submitted fake documents and distorted facts should be immediately suspended.
The BriefWire