Mysore/Mysuru: Opposing the amendments to the Land Reforms and APMC Acts, members of various farmers’ organisations staged protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s bust near the City Court Complex here yesterday.

Strongly condemning the amendments to Karnataka Land Reforms Act and APMC Acts, the protesters shouted slogans and waved placards displaying ‘Nammura Bhumi Namagirali, Anyarigalla’ (Our village land belongs to us, not outsiders).

Speaking on the occasion, President of Rajya Raitha Sangha Kuruburu Shanthakumar said, “Today, the whole nation is observing the anniversary of Quit India Movement. On this day, Mahatma Gandhi had launched Quit India Movement and had called on the British to quit India. Unfortunately, governments at the Centre and the State are giving red carpet welcome to corporate sector and the rich. Great injustice is being done to the poor farmers by bringing in amendments to Land Reforms Act and APMC Act.

Now, the State Government is mulling on privatising electricity boards. All these policies are detrimental to farmers’ community in the region. We are going to hold protest and besiege Vidhana Soudha during the next assembly session to be held in September, against these anti-farmer policies of the Government.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, Rajya Raitha Sanghatanegala Okkuta, Rajya Kabbu Belegarara Sangha, Mysuru-Chamarajanagara Jilla Susthira Savayava Krishikara Okkuta leaders including Hattuhalli Devaraju, Manjukiran, D. Somashekhar, Raghu, Shankar and others were present.