Police in Ballari district detained hundreds of farmers and land rights activists on Monday near Kuduthini village during a protest against the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board's (KIADB) decision to transfer land to Jindal. The demonstration, which has been ongoing for nearly 1,200 days, stems from the acquisition of thousands of acres of farmland over a decade ago for industrial development that never materialized.
Background of the Protest
Farmers alleged that the land was acquired 13 years ago at throwaway prices, with promises of factories and jobs that were never fulfilled. The acquired land has remained unused, and protesters have been demanding its return to the original owners. The situation escalated after KIADB decided to allot a portion of the disputed land to Jindal, prompting intensified demonstrations.
Accusations Against the Government
Protesters accused the state government of ignoring their long-standing agitation and criticized elected representatives for failing to intervene despite repeated representations. They claimed that the administration's response reflected a neglect of farmers' concerns.
Police Action
Police stated that they acted under an injunction order to prevent the gathering and detained the protesters using police vehicles. Arguments reportedly broke out between police personnel and demonstrators during the operation. Several women protesters and leaders were also taken into custody. Heavy security was deployed in the area as police dispersed the protest and cleared the site.
The detention of hundreds of farmers marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute, highlighting the tensions between industrial development and farmers' rights in Karnataka.
