Activists belonging to Janata Dal (Secular) and Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore (ACICM) and farmers’ organisations among others staged a protest.
They alleged that the board has begun the process to acquire 25,000 acres of lands in about 25 villages comprising Mysore, H D Kote, Hunsur and Nanjangud taluks. Notices have been already served on farmers, who are appalled over the sudden development. The protestors warned of countering the process.
They alleged that most of the lands will be allotted for resorts and industries and other projects. The farmers here largely depend on agriculture and are cultivating twice in a year with underground water available in abundance. Crops like paddy, coconut, ragi, banana and also flowers are reaping good profit for farmers. When this is the reality, the KIADB action has put many farmers in a fix.
The irony here is, there is dual opinion among the farmers, as some of the ryots are in favour of conceding the board’s action.
Former minister M Shivanna said former prime minister H D Deve Gowda may lead the protest henceforth here too.
ACICM convener M Lakshmana said a large tract of 50,000 to 60,000 acres of land are owned by haves and if any attempt is made further, aggressive protests will be launched, he warned. The agitators later submitted a memorandum to KIADB manager Shivashankar.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) general secretary Badagalapura Nagendra, Belagola Subramanya and others were present.