Bandh stir puts Kudatini land row back in spotlight

Ballari: Traffic movement at Royal Circle in the city was disrupted on Thursday as members of the Bhusanthrastha Horata Samiti staged a protest during a Ballari bandh, demanding the return of land acquired for industrial projects in the Kudatini region.Addressing the gathering, agitation committee leaders U Basavaraj, SY Gurushant, J Satyababu and Madhava Reddy accused the govt of delaying fair compensation for land losers and criticised the functioning of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB).They alleged that 12,875 acres spread across seven villages were acquired around 15 years ago for industries without providing fair compensation or market value to the affected farmers.Speakers said the agitation had expanded beyond Kudatini and now represented the concerns of the farming community across Ballari district.The protesters claimed that no industries were established and no jobs created even after 16 years. They argued that land acquired for a specific purpose should be used within 10 years or returned to its original owners and demanded restoration of unused land.The committee, backed by farmer, labour, women and progressive organisations, said it had been protesting for the past 13 years and was on an indefinite dharna since Dec 18, 2022.

It also opposed the alleged transfer of 800 acres by the KIADB to Jindal.Protesters said two high-level meetings chaired by then chief minister Siddaramaiah had assured a resolution, but no concrete action followed. They demanded fair compensation, use of land only for its declared purpose and return of land if their demands remained unaddressed.The bandh received less-than-expected public support, though the agitation continued.