Condemning the ordinance on the amendments to the Land Acquisition Bill, scores of members of various organisations took out a protest march here on Monday.
The agitation was held under the aegis of Jan Sangram Parishat, Gandhi Peace Foundation of Dharwad, Bhoomi Hakku Horata Samiti of Naragund and other organisations.
In the agitation that was led by Founder President of National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR) S.R. Hiremath and his associates and office bearers of different organisations, the proposed amendments to the Land Acquisition Bill were strongly condemned.
The protest march began from Kadapa Maidan and concluded at the office premises of the Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad after covering the thoroughfares of the city via Civil Court Circle.
Addressing the protestors at the ‘dharna’ staged at Deputy Commissioner’s office premises, the speakers alleged that the bill was being brought with the sole intention of helping the investors and pushing the farmers to the streets by taking away their lands.
Through from the bill, the policy of ‘Land to the Tillers’ was being withdrawn and it would be used to evict the farmers from their lands, Mr. Hiremath alleged. He said that it was crucial to oppose the move as it was being done on the pretext of public interest.
The protestors urged the Centre to immediately withdraw the bill and come out with a revised bill that would allow land acquisition only during inevitable circumstances and that too after taking due steps to protect the interests of the farmers and farming. They then submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India, to the officials of the district administration.
