Enough of politicking, we want justice,’ say Karnataka farme

[SRINIVAS_IYENGAR]

Enough of politicking, we want justice,’ say Karnataka farmers
Published: Sunday, Dec 5, 2010, 11:50 IST
By Rohith BR | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

armers took out a massive rally in K Narayanapura on Saturday and demanded the state government stop land acquisition activity in villages coming under the limits of Arkavathy Layout; the project being executed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). The protest entered its ninth day on Saturday.

The agitation took a political turn on Saturday, when KR Puram MLA Nandish Reddy, who visited the spot, said the struggle is politically-motivated. Farmers took offence and asked the MLA not to indulge in ‘politicking’. “If politicians want to help us, let them do it by resolving the matter to get us justice. But they should not give political colour to the struggle,” said D Hanumaiah, a member of the Arkavathy Layout Farmers and Revenue Site Owners Welfare Committee, which has been formed by farmers from 16 villages where the Arkavathy Layout is coming up.

Reddy later said he would ensure farmers’ interests are protected and he would speak to the chief minister to hold a special meeting with farmers at the earliest. Ever since the farmers’ protest started, various political leaders, including JD(S) leader and former chief minister, HD Kumaraswamy, and Congress MLA Krishna Byregowda, have visited them and promised to resolve the matter.

Farmers said they are not ready to accept the compensation package being offered by the government and demanded the BDA stop land acquisition.

“The government is offering `28 per sq ft, while the actual market value is `2,500 per sq ft,” said Suresh K, a farmer.

On November 25, 2010, BDA commissioner Bharat Lal Meena inspected the works undertaken by the BDA in Arkavathy Layout in the wake of a Supreme Court judgment that directed the government to complete the project and distribute site to allotees.

The farmers’ protest began the next day.On November 30, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said construction work would not take place in Arkavathy Layout till the farmers’ issue is resolved.