'Halt acquisition of fertile land at Devanahalli'

Bengaluru, NT Bureau

Writers and social activists, who are opposing the acquisition of fertile agricultural land at Channarayapatna in Devanahalli taluk for industrial purposes, have appealed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to halt the process immediately. In a letter to the CM, they stated, "The land acquisition at Channarayapatna has led to conflict between farmers and the government. We fail to understand why the government is adamant about this."

“We understand the need for land for development projects, but it should be done with a proper procedure. The land at Channarayapatna is fertile agricultural land, supporting thousands of livelihoods. Most importantly, the farmers have informed the government that they do not part with their land for industrial purposes," the letter stated. It further questioned the current government's stance, reminding CM Siddaramaiah that when the previous BJP government initiated the land acquisition process, Siddaramaiah himself had opposed it.

He even visited the protesting farmers and extended his support to them. “Why is his (Siddaramaiah's) government now insisting on acquiring this very land? they asked. As farmers have now received a final notification, a ‘Devanahalli Chalo’ will be taken out on June 25, the latter added.