Govt withdraws entire land acquisition process in Devanahalli: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: In a major announcement amid ongoing farmer protests, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday declared that the government has decided to completely withdraw the land acquisition process in Devanahalli taluk’s Channarayapatna and surrounding villages.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with government officials and farmer representatives at Vidhana Soudha, followed by a press conference, Siddaramaiah clarified: “The government has decided to completely abandon the land acquisition process. However, some farmers have voluntarily expressed willingness to part with their land. The government will acquire only such land and provide them higher compensation and developed plots in return.”
Siddaramaiah added that willing landowners will be offered compensation higher than the standard guideline value, and those wishing to continue agricultural activities can do so without interference. He emphasised the strategic location of Devanahalli near Bengaluru and the airport, noting the importance of industrial development for increasing incomes across the state.
“For economic development, we need land to establish industries. It is the government’s duty to facilitate this while also respecting the rights of landowners,” he said.
The CM reiterated that no other land in the region will be acquired without farmers’ consent, and praised the democratic protests that led to this decision.
“Such large-scale protests against land acquisition have not been seen before. The land is fertile and crucial for farmers. We have listened to them,” he said.
Notably, the proposed acquisition of 1,777 acres in Devanahalli was intended for a major aerospace park. Siddaramaiah acknowledged the project but stated the government is willing to let it go elsewhere if it means protecting farmers’ rights.
“Even if the industry relocates, the government will stand with farmers,” he affirmed.
Actor and activist Prakash Raj, present at the event, lauded the CM’s stance: “Siddaramaiah has shown that social justice is not just in words but in action.”
Ministers M.B. Patil, K.H. Muniyappa, H.K. Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, Byrathi Suresh, CM’s political secretary Naseer Ahmed, legal advisor Ponnanna, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, and several farmer representatives were present at the meeting.
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M'luru: School physical education teacher’s body found under mysterious circumstances in well
Ullal: The body of a 51-year-old physical education teacher was found in a well at his residence in Kondana, under the limits of Kotekar town, on Friday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Prabhakar Jogi, who was serving as a physical education teacher at the Government School in Kallarakodi, Naringana village. Police suspect that he may have died by suicide, allegedly due to health-related issues.
According to police, Prabhakar had dropped his daughter at Uchila School earlier in the day for the school anniversary programme and returned home.
He was later preparing to attend the same event along with his wife and son, when he suddenly went missing. A search was launched by family members, following which his body was found in the well located at his house.
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Police said that Prabhakar Jogi was reportedly suffering from a neurological disorder. He had served in several schools across Ullal taluk and was actively involved in organisations of physical education teachers.
Ullal police visited the spot, conducted an inspection and sent the body for post-mortem examination.
In his complaint to the police, Prabhakar’s son, Sai Tejas, stated that his father had jumped into the well and that there was no suspicion surrounding the death.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
