Mangaluru : A forum of villagers, affected by acquisition of land for ISPRL (Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited) pipeline being laid between Padur in Udupi and Thokur near Mangaluru, has decided to continue its fight against the way land was being acquired.

In a meeting held on Sunday, Chittaranjan Bhandary, the convenor of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Janajagruti Samiiti, which is leading the protest, asked farmers not to believe statements of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board officials that the compensation that was paid was four times more than the market value of the land.

He also asked farmers not to accept compensation sent by officials in the form of demand drafts.

Mr. Bhandary affirmed the commitment of the forum to fight for the rights of farmers losing land.

Krishnaprasad Rai, convenor of the forum of victims of Mangaluru-Solur (near Bengaluru) LPG pipeline, asked farmers affected by the ISPRL pipeline work to launch a legal battle against acquisition of land.

Activist and farmer Gregory Patrao and Democratic Youth Federation of India State Unit President Muneer Katipalla participated in the meeting.

The ISPRL was laying two underground pipelines – an output pipeline from Padur to Thokur passing through seven villages in Udupi district and 17 in Dakshina Kannada district and input pipeline from Mulur to Padur in Udupi district.

A KIADB official said the land was being acquired on the grounds of ‘Right of User’ as stated under provisions of Petroleum Act.

As per the provisions, the land would remain with the owner and he can cultivate on the portion of the land taken for pipeline laying.

The official said in order to benefit farmers, who are giving the land for this project of national interest, value of the land has been computed at 10 times more than the market value.

Of the 400 owners, the KIADB has so far paid compensation to nearly 30 persons.

“There is no question of forcing any farmer to give away the land,” the official said and added that farmers can approach courts if they are not happy with the compensation paid to them.