Pramesh S Jain
Violence erupted in Mandalahalli village in Ramanagara taluk on Monday when a group of protesters
allegedly attacked officials and police personnel who had arrived to conduct a Joint Measurement Committee (JMC) survey for the proposed Bidadi Township project.
The protesters allegedly damaged two official vehicles, assaulted officials and police personnel,and prevented the survey from being carried out.
The survey was being conducted on land for which the owners had already given their consent,officials said.
According to Bengaluru South Superintendent of Police, Srinivas Gowda,an FIR has been registered against a group of people on charges of assault,criminal intimidation,and obstructing public servants from discharging their duties.
“As many as two vehicles were damaged and three police personnel,including a Deputy Superintendent of Police,sustained injuries in the melee.
We have initiated an inquiry into the incident,and action will be taken against those involved in the attack,”the SP said.
Officials said a farmer who had consented to the survey was allegedly roughed up by protesters and fell unconscious during the violence.
The unrest comes amid growing opposition from farmers against the proposed Bidadi Township project, with many fearing displacement and loss of livelihood.
Reacting to the incident,Youth JD(S) president Nikhil Kumaraswamy criticised the government’s attempt to proceed with the survey.
“I strongly condemn the government’s attempt to conduct a JMC survey for the Bidadi Township project without the farmers’ consent and without providing them with any information.
It is unfortunate that the government,having failed to understand the sentiments of the farmers,is attempting to implement this project by any means necessary,”he said.
The Bidadi Township project,envisioned as a major urban development initiative,has emerged as a flash point between the state government and sections of the farming community,with tensions escalating over land acquisition and the survey process.
