Nikhil Kumaraswamy demands Congress to drop Greater Bengaluru Project, announces agitation
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Bengaluru: JD(S) Youth Wing State President Nikhil Kumaraswamy has demanded that the Karnataka Congress government scrap the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project at Bidadi, warning of a massive agitation until the project is withdrawn.
Addressing reporters at the JD(S) state office, JP Bhavan, on Saturday, Nikhil said, “Starting tomorrow, we will launch a large-scale protest. We will stand as the backbone of the farmers until this project is scrapped. No matter how far this fight has to go, JD(S) will be there.”
He accused the state government of betraying farmers' trust and escalating their fears. “For months, farmers in the Bidadi area have been living in constant anxiety about losing their lands. Instead of alleviating their worries, the government is fueling their anger,” he charged.
Drawing a parallel to the farmers’ protest at Channarayapatna in Devanahalli, where farmers had demonstrated for 1,000 days, Nikhil said JD(S) is prepared to fight the Bidadi project with the same intensity and take it to a “logical end.” Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy will join the protest via video conference, while several farmer leaders will take part on the ground, he added.
Nikhil challenged the government to first implement a pilot project on the 900 acres already allotted to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB). “Show us how it works there first. The GBIT lacks experience, manpower, and financial backing. Where are your resources? The government must answer these questions,” he demanded.
He criticized Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, alleging that despite repeatedly meeting farmers, Shivakumar has failed to hold any meaningful discussions about compensation. “You have challenged us to stop you, but have you taken any steps to protect farmers' lands from being sold? What are your plans for the future of their children? What is the hidden agenda behind rushing this project?” he asked.
According to Nikhil, nearly 80 percent of the farmers strongly oppose the land acquisition process. He called for an immediate halt to the acquisition and urged action against GBIT and police officials who are allegedly intimidating farmers. He also demanded that the government make public the project report prepared by the Boston Consulting Group.
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Maoist carrying bounty of Rs 15 lakh among four killed in gunfight with security forces in J’khand
Hazaribag (PTI): Four Maoists, including one carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Friday, police officials said.
The encounter took place in the Khapia forest area within the Keredari police station limits, following a tip-off.
"Four Maoists were killed in a gunfight with joint forces in 'Operation KotiNeer'. The Maoists killed have been identified as regional committee member Sahdeo Maho, carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh, Ranjit Ganjhu, Zonal committee member, carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh," IG, CRPF, Saket Kumar Singh told mediapersons.
The remaining two are Area Commander Budhan Karmali, carrying a reward of Rs one lakh and sub-zonal committee member Natasha, a woman who hailed from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.
SDPO of Barkagaon, Pawan Kumar, said that no security personnel were injured in the operation.
The Maoists killed were wanted in about 80 cases.
With the encounter, only 57 Maoists are left in the state, the IG said.
A number of arms were also recovered during the operation including two AK 47 and one INSAS rifles.
The development comes close on the heels of a fierce exchange of fire between a Maoist squad headed by Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore, and police personnel on April 15 in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum. Four security personnel were injured in the encounter.
The Centre has already informed the state governments that there are no Naxal violence-affected districts in the country, more than five decades since Left Wing Extremism (LWE) originated in India.
The declaration followed a high-level security review held earlier this month by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the mandated 'National Policy and Action Plan to Address Left Wing Extremism' formulated in 2015.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament on March 30 that India was free from Maoists.
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