Farmers protest against KIADB’s land acquisition

BENGALURU
Farmers from Hedadahalli and Gokare Bachahalli in Channarayapatna Hobli, Devanahalli Taluk, staged a protest outside the residence of Minister KH Muniyappa, condemning the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board’s (KIADB) decision to acquire fertile agricultural land.
Despite a continuous 949-day sit-in protest in front of the Nadakacheri office in Channarayapatna, the land acquisition process has not been halted. Notices have been reissued to some farmers in these two villages, prompting protestors to hold placards demanding that their lands be kept with the farmers.
Protestors voiced slogans against the state government, accusing the Congress administration of breaking its promises.
During the previous BJP-led government, the KIADB issued notices to acquire 1,779 acres across 13 villages for industrial development. Following strong opposition, the acquisition was put on hold. During the last Assembly election, Minister KH Muniyappa assured us that no agricultural land would be acquired. Siddaramaiah also promised that, under Congress rule, the acquisition process would be abandoned. Yet now, notices have been sent to farmers in these two villages, claimed the protestors.