Despite the Defence Ministry turning down the request of Suresh C. Angadi, MP, for denotification of the Baghdad-Asmara Firing Range, adjacent to the Cantonment here, the MP submitted a fresh letter to consider the case.
In a letter sent to Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Friday, copies of which were released to the media here, Mr. Angadi requested that the range be shifted, or a baffle range be constructed.
This is an issue Mr. Angadi has been pursuing for over two years; an engineering college established by him is within range of the firing range.
Arguments
In support of his argument, Mr. Angadi maintained that 7,469 acres of land (6,167 private and 1,302 acres of Army land) in nine villages of Belgaum taluk were leased out to the Defence. But, it was illegal for the State to lease out private land. Landowners had to be paid compensation before acquiring this private, agricultural land, as per the Land acquisition Act, but this was not done. Hence, the use of this land by the Defence was illegal, he said.
Besides, as per provisions of Manoeuvres, Field Firing and Artillery Practices Act-5 of 1938, lease process of land could not be executed; only issue of notification for temporary use of land was authorised, he added.
Firing
At a meeting of Army officials, district administration and elected representatives, chaired by the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, in September last, it was decided to stop all firing exercises and construction work (compound wall for the firing range). Yet, there had been no positive response from the Defence in this regard. This had aggravated tension between the civilian landowners and the “rude” Army, Mr. Angadi said.
He added that people passing through the area were in danger because of the exercises.
After Mr. Angadi had raised this issue in Parliament, Mr. Antony had made it clear that the government had notified the range till 2020.
‘NOC not obtained’
“I have been acquainted by Army authorities that an educational institute has been established in the danger area without obtaining a ‘no objection certificate’ either from the Belgaum Urban Development Authority or the military authorities in Belgaum. We are requesting that the government look into this immediately,” the Defence Minister had said.
“It would be difficult to accede to your request for denotification of the range as it has direct implication on the operational preparedness of the Indian Army and on joint training with friendly foreign countries,” Mr. Antony had said.
When firing practice is conducted in the range, located about 1 km from the cantonment, the local police is informed, sentries are posted and no accident has occurred so far.
