Madikeri
Members of the Kodagu District Raitha Sangha staged a protest outside the office of the district Superintendent of Police (SP), alleging that farmers were illegally arrested while travelling to participate in a protest against the Bidadi township project.
Farmers and leaders from different parts of Kodagu gathered at the SP’s office and expressed strong displeasure over the police action. They demanded an explanation from the police authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
Raitha Sangha district president Kadyamada Manu Somaiya alleged that farmers were selectively arrested in Kodagu while they were on their way to participate in a peaceful demonstration. He questioned whether there were any external influences behind the arrests and demanded that the SP clarify the matter.
Somaiya said the police action had insulted the farming community and claimed that the arrested farmers were exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully. He alleged that farmers detained near the Kodagu border were not immediately produced before a court.
He further claimed that the arrested farmers were kept at a marriage hall and later at a police station until evening. Somaiya said such detention had caused considerable distress to the families of the farmers, particularly their children, and criticised the police for what he described as unacceptable treatment.
The farmers’ union leaders demanded that the police follow due legal procedures while dealing with protesters and ensure that the rights of farmers are protected.
Dinesh, a leader of the Somwarpet Raitha Sangha, alleged that the arrest and detention of the farmers amounted to a violation of their human rights. He called for accountability from the authorities and urged senior police officials to examine the circumstances of the arrests.
The protesting farmers said they would continue to raise their concerns through democratic and legal means. They urged the district administration and police department to address their grievances and ensure that farmers participating in peaceful protests are not subjected to unlawful detention or harassment.
The protest at the SP’s office brought attention to the farmers’ concerns over police action and their demand for transparency in handling cases involving protesters.