Sandalwood grower climbs electricity tower to protest in Chikkamagaluru

Sandalwood grower in Tarikere

A sandalwood grower from Tarikere, in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, climbed a high-voltage electricity tower to protest inadequate compensation for cutting sandalwood tress for widening NH206, at Haliyur, on June 10, 2025. | Video Credit: The Hindu

A sandalwood grower from Tarikere, in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, has climbed a high-voltage electricity tower as a mark of protest at Haliyur.

T.N. Vishukumar, the grower, has been fighting against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), demanding compensation for the sandalwood trees that were cut for road-widening, for the past few years.

He and other farmers had been staging a dharna for the last few days. The local police removed their banners and put pressure on him to end the protest on June 9. Protesting the police action, he climbed up the electricity tower.

In a video message, the grower said that he had been staging a peaceful protest. The police took away the banners and insulted him. “I will not get down until I get justice,” he stated.

The protester alleged that the authority gave a meagre sum as compensation to farmers who grew sandalwood on three acres and 30 guntas of land, which was acquired for the widening of NH 206.

The police and other officials are appealing him to get down.

Published - June 10, 2025 11:04 am IST