The death of a farmer at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru on Friday sparked spontaneous protests in Chickballapur and Kolar districts.
A.H. Anandakumar (32), a resident of Angarekanahalli in Chickballapur taluk, consumed pesticide in front of Chickballapur Deputy Commissioner M.V. Venkatesh at the DC office complex on Wednesday, resenting attempts by officials to auction the cashew crop grown by him on a piece of land in Avalahalli village. Other farmers who were present at the spot immediately took him to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, where he died around 2 a.m. on Friday.
As the news of Anandakumar’s death spread, the residents of his native village and farmers in both the districts got furious and took to the streets. The situation, particularly in Angarekanahalli, was tense as the residents tried to gherao the house of Congress leader Krishnamurthy.
Responding to a call given by the Janata Dal (Secular), with which Anandakumar was reportedly associated, a by and large total and peaceful bandh was observed in Chickballapur. Farmers’ organisations and pro-Kannada outfits extended support to the bandh.
Vehicular movement was badly affected as relatives of the deceased farmer and hundreds of irate people blocked the road at Sidlghat Circle. The protesters were seen engaged in verbal duel with the police who were deployed in large numbers. The agitators tore posters of local Congress MLA K. Sudhakar to express their ire.
Deve Gowda’s demand
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda visited Angarekanahalli to console the family members of Anandakumar. Addressing reporters at the DC office complex, Mr. Gowda urged action against the guilty. The controversial land should be granted to the wife of the deceased farmer and government should bear the education
expenses of his children, he said.
Human chain
In Kolar, the functionaries of KRRS formed a human chain at Mekke Circle condemning the death of the farmer. “The death of Kumar is a glaring example of the administration’s negligence towards farmers’ woes”, the protesters alleged.
Father’s charge
“Form No. 53 was submitted to the Tahsildar in 1998 requesting for grant of the land. However, some gram panchayat members and officers wanted to auction the cashew crop. My son was upset over this and consumed poison”, said Hanumantharayappa,
father of Anandakumar.
Rs. 5 lakh relief
Deputy Commissioner M.V. Venkatesh has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to Anandakumar’s family. He said an alternative piece of land will be granted to his family in place of the present controversial plot. Notices will be served to the previous Tahsildar, taluk panchayat executive officer and two others in connection with lapses in Anandakumar’s case, he added.
