Farmers affected by the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project, who were on a hunger strike here for the past three days to press their demands, ended their protest on Saturday after Housing Minister V. Somanna met them and promised Government's help in addressing their grievances.
The protesting farmers have been invited to a meeting with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on July 8.
Urging the Government to fulfil 11 demands pertaining to the project, 22 farmers were on an indefinite fast since Thursday outside Town Hall, and they were supported by hundreds of growers. Among others demands, the farmers have been demanding return of 1,330 acres that have been identified as excess land given to the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE), which is executing the BMIC project.
Earlier, Janata Dal (S) president H.D. Deve Gowda met the farmers and expressed solidarity with them.
“We have agreed to meet the Chief Minister and will place our demand before him. The excess land (1,330 acres) should be returned to the land-losers,” Chikkalinge Gowda Talakad, an activist, said.
Besides, the farmers have been demanding an inquiry into the land acquisition process. “Though 13,237 acres of private land is to be acquired for the project, the Government is yet to identify them. Even government land measuring 6,956 acres has not been identified. However, the KIADB has already issued acquisition notice,” he added.
The issue of sale deed to the developer by the KIADB instead of a no-objection certificate should also be probed, the farmers demanded.
They have also urged the Government not to allow collection of toll on the peripheral ring road, as the company had built an asphalted road instead of a concrete road as agreed in the framework agreement.
