Farmers resent ‘forcible’ land acquisition for Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway project

Hundreds of farmers staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Tuesday condemning alleged ‘forcible’ land acquisition for the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway project without following due procedures. They also demanded proper compensation for the land.

District unit of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) and the affected farmers’ struggle committee jointly organised the protest.

The protesters alleged that agricultural lands are acquired without giving any notice to farmers. As many as 3,700 acres was acquired by the authorities concerned and the farmers who lost the land were directed to approach the land acquisition office with land documents in order to get compensation, farmers said.

The protesters took exception to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) publishing acquisition notifications in some papers without serving individual notices to the land owners. They raised slogans against the Centre for not taking the people who have to part with their land in to confidence.

While 1,200 acres was acquired in Malur taluk, the quantum in Bangarpet taluk was 1,300 acres and in KGF Assembly constituency it was 1,200 acres, the protesting farmers said. They also questioned the necessity of another highway while there was already NH 75 passing through the district.

“We are not against development. But it should not be at the cost of farmers and fertile agricultural land. Acquiring land without discussing with the farmers is an uncivilised and authoritarian action," said G.C. Bayya Reddy, State unit vice-president of KPRS.

DC’s assurance

Deputy Commissioner K.V. Thrilokchandra who received a memorandum from the protesters assured that taluk-wise teams will be formed to look into the documents of land which are supposed to be acquired for the project. He also said a meeting with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) authorities will be arranged to clear the doubts in the minds of the people about the project.

KPRS district general secretary T.M. Venkatesh, struggle committee president Chandrashekhar, Nava Karnataka Rakshana Vedike State president Rajgopal Gowda, and struggle committee honorary president Jayasimha Krishnappa participated.