Mangaluru : Farmers took out a protest in front of the DC’s office, opposing the move to amend Land Acquisition Act in Mangaluru on Tuesday.

Addressing protesters, Rajya Raitha Sangha Hasiru Sene state president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar urged the government to waive off loans taken by farmers and to issue interest free loans afresh.

And demanded that a scientific price policy should be implemented. He held both the state and the central governments responsible for the death of farmers and accused that the governments compelled farmers to commit suicide. Government is negligent to the plight of the farmers, he accused. And complained that Chief Minister has not held discussions with the farmers in connection with the farmers’ deaths.

“The bank officials are harassing farmers who have failed to repay loans. But why the government has not taken any action against the defaulter business tycoons who have availed thousands of crores of rupees. While, the lead bank has submitted a report to the DC saying that there was no reason for farmers to commit suicide in the district as all agricultural loans have been repaid. The report which is sent to the government by the DC, is completely against the truth,” he accused.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Hasiru Sene state Secretary Kumara Subrahmanya Shastry accused that the district administration has kept the farmers in the dark, by not giving them the real information on the inundation area with regard to new Thumbe vented dam. The district administration has said only 250 acres will be inundated. But, through an RTI query, the Sangha has found out that 1083 acres will be inundated,” he observed.

Continuing further he said the private companies have been given permission by the district administration to generate electricity and several dams are being constructed across River Kumaradhara towards Mini Hydro Power Project. The construction of dams has posed a threat to the farming community of the region as the large area of agricultural land will be inundated,” he stated. Mangalore Bar Association president S P Chengappa said “the Central government is only interested in foreign investments and is least concerned about agriculture and farmers. The Prime Minister is too busy with his foreign tours to listen to the anguish of farmers.” He meanwhile said the PM should listen to ‘Jan Ki Baath’ (people’s talk) which is more important than delivering his ‘Mann Ki Baath’.

Farmers from across the state took part in the protest. Prior to the protest, they took out a jatha from Ambedkar circle to DC office and shouted slogans against the Central and state governments and the district administration.

Barricades put up to prevent the protesting farmers from entering the office premises, enraged the farmer leaders. The farmers urged the DC to come to the spot and receive the memorandum.

Rajya Raitha Sangha Hasiru Sene State president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar questioned why the barricades were put up even when the protest was peaceful. He was told that the DC was in Kannur, to carry out an inspection of the maintenance work of water supply pipe, which has been defunct from several days and hence the ADC would receive the memorandum.

However, the farmer leaders maintained that the DC should come.

The agitating members threatened with crossing the barricades and occupy DC’s chamber, if he failed to turn up within half an hour.

The DC, returned after a few moments and received the memorandum.