Bengaluru: Farmers who lost land to PRR to intensify agitation

Bengaluru: Farmers, who protested in front of the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) office on Tuesday demanding that the compensation for acquiring their land for Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project be cleared early, have now decided to intensify their protest in the next few days.

Over 500 farmers gathered and protested demanding the compensation, which has been pending since 2005. These farmers were staying around Outer Ring Road and Nice Road area and had land which was used for farming. But the BDA and government acquired the land for PRR project and failed to settle the compensation.

Kodihalli Chandrashekar, state president, Karnataka Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, said, "If the government and BDA fail to address the issue in a few weeks, we will intensify the protest. The PRR project is on paper for the last 15 years. In 2005, they issued a primary notice to farmers about acquiring the land, but till today there is no talk of compensation."

He said, "It is high time that the BDA and government take a decision and conclude the issue. It cannot be dragged on for a few more years. If there is no action, we will plan on staging more such protests."

The farmers said that they will boycott the Lok Sabha elections. Shekar Narayanappa, a farmer, said, "None of us, including our family members and those from neighbouring villages, will vote in the coming elections. We will start spreading the word in our areas and ask no one to vote as the government does not deserve our votes. Until and unless our issues are cleared, we will continue with our protests."

He said, “We’re also planning to stage a protest in front of the CM’s residence and we want him to listen to our problems and take action. Hundreds of landless farmers are running from pillar to post to get their compensation. We have been fooled. But this time, we will ensure that we will not budge until all our matters are resolved.”