Bagair hukum farmers staged a protest, under the aegis of Janata Dal (Secular), in Sorab on Friday, condemning the ongoing drive by the Revenue and Forest departments to evict them.
Addressing the protest meet, Madhu Bangarappa, Sorab MLA, said that in the name of encroachment clearance, the officials were harassing small and marginal farmers, who were engaged in bagair hokum cultivation for livelihood.
Applications submitted by farmers under the Forest Rights Act, Section 94C of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and forms 50 and 53 before the taluk-level Land Grant Committee for land ownership rights, were still pending.
It was against law to evict such farmers without clearing their applications for ownership rights, he said.
The rigid conditions in Forest Rights Act to prove domicile in forest region for 75 years or last three generations had become a hurdle in granting land ownership rights to farmers.
Parliament Members from the State should apprise the Union government of the issue and get the law amended suitably, he said.
Rally taken out
Farmers took out a rally from Ranganatha temple. President of Sorab Taluk Panchayat Jayasheelappa, leaders of Janata Dal (S) Baragi Ningappa and Latha Hemappa took part in the protest.
Applications seeking land ownership rights are still pending, say people
‘Rigid conditions in Forest Rights Act are a hurdle in granting land rights’
