Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy cautioned the Karnataka government and police about the alleged misuse of law enforcement to suppress protests against the Bidadi Township project. During a land survey attempt in Mandalahalli village of Bidadi taluk, officials faced resistance from farmers and women protesters opposing the project.
Farmers, protesting the township project for nearly 500 days, obstructed a Joint Measurement Survey (JMC) initiated by the government for land acquisition. The protesters accused the government of sudden action despite prolonged opposition, leading to a confrontation during the survey.
Kumaraswamy attributed the incident to the state government’s involvement and urged protesters to maintain peaceful agitation without resorting to violence. He expressed support for the ongoing protest against the Bidadi Township project and cautioned the police against being influenced by political pressures.
Police efforts to control the situation were met with challenges as protesters continued their demonstration, halting the survey temporarily. The proposed Bidadi Township project has faced strong opposition from farmers concerned about losing agricultural land and livelihoods, while the government maintains the survey is a preliminary step.
