The Karnataka government has filed FIRs against over 20 farmers following a violent protest that disrupted a land survey for the proposed Bidadi Township project near Bengaluru. The FIRs were lodged based on a complaint by Revenue Department officials who were attacked by protesters during a Joint Measurement Survey (JMC) on Monday. The survey work was suspended, and officials are planning to resume it under police protection after holding talks with the farmers.
The protest saw farmers throwing stones and women protesters hitting officials’ vehicles with brooms, leading to the abandonment of the survey. The district administration is now contemplating discussions with the farmers before restarting the survey with enhanced police security due to the tense situation in Bidadi. The farmers have been objecting to the project for nearly 500 days, fearing loss of livelihood due to the proposed acquisition of agricultural land.
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy criticized the Karnataka government for allegedly using police force to suppress the farmers’ protest. He urged the farmers to continue their agitation peacefully and assured them of legal aid in their fight against the project. Kumaraswamy also cautioned the police against political influence and advised them not to give in to pressure tactics.
The police, deployed at the site, were unable to disperse the agitated crowd, resulting in the survey being halted. Superintendent of Police Srinivas Gowda visited the area, held discussions with the protesters, and emphasized the importance of not obstructing public servants from performing their duties. The Bidadi Township project faces ongoing opposition from farmers who demand the project’s cancellation despite the government’s assertion that the survey is merely a preliminary step.
