The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has initiated a fresh land acquisition bid in Devanahalli, just one month after the region received an agricultural tag designation. This move has sparked immediate backlash from local farmers who have been engaged in a prolonged four-year protest against the original land acquisition notification.
Farmers Decry KIADB's Actions as Intimidation
Agricultural communities in Devanahalli have strongly condemned KIADB's latest offer, characterizing it as a form of intimidation and a blatant mockery of established rules and regulations. Farmers argue that this new attempt undermines their previous struggles and disregards the protective measures associated with the recent agro tag designation.
Four-Year Protest Against Original Notification
The current controversy stems from a persistent four-year protest movement that farmers have maintained against KIADB's initial land acquisition plans. During this extended period, agricultural stakeholders have consistently voiced their opposition to industrial development that would displace farming activities and disrupt local livelihoods.
The timing of KIADB's renewed acquisition effort has raised significant questions about regulatory consistency and government commitment to agricultural preservation. Farmers emphasize that the agro tag designation should provide enhanced protection for their lands, making this new acquisition bid particularly concerning from a policy implementation perspective.
Community Response and Regulatory Concerns
Local farming communities have organized to express their collective dissatisfaction with what they perceive as contradictory governmental actions. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between industrial development priorities and agricultural preservation efforts in rapidly developing regions surrounding major urban centers like Bengaluru.
Agricultural representatives have called for greater transparency in the land acquisition process and more meaningful consultation with affected communities. They stress that sustainable development must balance industrial growth with the protection of farming livelihoods and food security considerations.
The Devanahalli case represents a significant test case for how Karnataka manages competing land use priorities in peri-urban areas experiencing both agricultural importance and industrial expansion pressures.
