A meeting on Thursday to find a solution to the impasse over acquisition of 1,777 acres in Bengaluru district, where farmers are protesting against the acquisition process for nearly 100 days now, did not make much headway as farmers refused to withdraw their protest despite an appeal by Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani, who also assured that land will not be forcefully acquired.
While Mr. Nirani directed officials not to forcefully take land from farmers, the latter urged him to drop the entire acquisition process. A final decision will be taken after a meeting of farmers with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Mr. Nirani said. The farmers in Chennarayapatna hobli in Devanahalli taluk of Bengaluru Rural district, near here, are protesting against acquisition of 1,777 acres that has been identified for development of Haralur Industrial Development project for aerospace and defence parks.
“The land can be acquired if farmers give their land voluntarily for industrial purposes. Land acquisition process should not be forced on farmers. Any such complaints against officials will be dealt with seriously,” the Minister said during his interaction with farmers from Chennarayapatna hobli.
