A meeting of land owners with Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim and Special Land Acquisition Officer Krishna Murthy to discuss land acquisition for the proposed LPG pipeline of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited over turned raucous, on Thursday. Farmers asked officials how they could give part of their land to a pipeline project at terms they were not happy with.
Yadava Shetty said farmers were struggling for rights over their own land and said, “Why should I give you the space? Did you ever ask me first whether I was willing to give you the space?”
He said they were unhappy with the compensation offered and the message had to reach the Central government or they would stop attend meetings on the subject.
Krishnaprasad Rai, Convenor, Action Committee against Mangalore-Hassan-Mysore-Solur Gas Pipeline Project, read out a list of media reports about gas pipeline leaks and said the company must define the safety zone where people could live and farm. The government could take land required but “give us the price. We are not saying no,” he said.
Saying he would communicate their sentiments to the government and that the pipeline would not pass through their homes, the DC said, “Consent is not required for government work” (in this context).
