Sunil Lohan
A farmer from Chikkamagaluru allegedly attempted suicide near Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday afternoon by trying to hang himself from a tree,claiming that prolonged delays in compensation for land acquired for a National Highway project had pushed him into severe financial and mental distress.
The incident occurred around 12.45 PM when T.N. Vishukumar,a farmer and sandalwood cultivator from Haliyur village in Tarikere taluk,allegedly attempted to take his life as a form of protest.
He reportedly used a towel-like cloth to hang himself from a tree near Vidhana Soudha.
However,police personnel deployed for the security intervened immediately,prevented the attempt and detained him.
Police said Vishukumar alleged that 1.5 acres of his land were acquired by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in 2016 for a highway project.
He claimed that compensation for the acquired land and the sandalwood trees growing on it was initially estimated at around Rs.62 crore.
However,he alleged that a valuation report prepared by the Forest Department assessed the value at only Rs.62 lakh, drastically reducing the compensation payable to him.
Officials said Vishukumar has been agitating over the issue for several years and has repeatedly sought the intervention of government authorities,including the Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner,for the release of what he claims is pending compensation.
In February this year,he was detained by Vidhana Soudha police after allegedly chopping branches of a sandalwood tree outside Vidhana Soudha to draw attention to his demand for fair compensation.
He has maintained that the valuation of the sandalwood trees on his acquired land was carried out by the State Forest Department and forwarded to NHAI,and has alleged that an incorrect assessment led to the delay in compensation.
According to police,Vishukumar has resorted to similar forms of protest in the past over the compensation dispute.
Officials said the latest incident was also aimed at drawing the attention of the government and concerned authorities to his grievance.
Police said a notice has been issued to Vishukumar and a report has been submitted before the court stating that he allegedly staged a protest without prior permission and caused public inconvenience.
He has been directed to appear before the court for further proceedings.The police booked,issued notice to appear before the court and submitted a report to the court concerned for further course of action.
(those having suicidal tendencies can call Arogya Sahayavani ph. 104 for help).
