Marase, Madaragalli farmers flay notices

Mysuru: The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) Special Land Acquisition Office, Mysuru Zone, has issued formal notices to more than 51 farmers in Marase village and over 60 farmers in Madaragalli village, both in Varuna Hobli, for the acquisition of 144.31 acres of land.

The move has angered farmers, who are opposing the acquisition of fertile agricultural land. More than 50 farmers staged a protest this morning at KIADB Office on KRS Road, under the banner of Marase-Madaragalli Raitha Horata Hitharakshana Samithi.

KIADB has issued notices under Section 28(1) of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966, for the proposed acquisition of land for industrial expansion in Varuna Hobli.

Landowners and other stakeholders wishing to raise objections have been given 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice to submit their written objections. The KIADB has also asked the farmers to appear for an inquiry hearing scheduled for Aug. 27 (today) at the Special Land Acquisition Office.

The affected parties or their authorised representatives were asked to appear with relevant documents, including encumbrance details and ownership records indicating any rights, mortgages or tenancy claims over the land mentioned in the notices.

The notices state that failure to respond could result in decisions being taken as per the applicable laws. The farmers staged today’s protest to coincide with the inquiry hearing.

 Raju Gowda of the Samithi said, “We are fighting to save 160 acres of our land. KIADB issues notices to farmers within a week, but in reality, they are pushing real estate projects. There are 8,000 coconut trees here and farming has been carried out for generations. Through KIADB, Minister M.B. Patil is promoting real estate business,” he alleged.

He warned that the farmers would intensify their agitation if the Government proceeded with the acquisition.

“When Siddaramaiah was CM, such incidents never happened in Varuna. Now, as soon as he stepped down, attempts are being made to snatch our land,” he said. City BJP leader Dr. Shrushutha Gowda also joined the protesters.