Farmer Detained for Cutting Sandalwood Branch Near Vidhana Soudha in NHAI Protest
In a dramatic protest against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a 50-year-old sandalwood farmer from Chikkamagaluru was detained by Bengaluru police on Tuesday. The incident occurred at Devaraj Urs Circle, opposite the West Gate of the Vidhana Soudha, the state legislative building in Karnataka.
Incident Details and Police Action
According to a police complaint, the farmer, identified as T N Vishukumar, a resident of Kodi Camp in Tarikere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, was spotted around 10:45 am holding a branch of a sandalwood tree. A constable on patrol duty, who had reported at 8:30 am, noticed a crowd gathering near a park where the tree is planted and intervened. The police detained Vishukumar and seized the machete used in the act.
An FIR has been registered against Vishukumar under sections 324(4) and 324(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, related to mischief and intentionally causing wrongful loss or damage to public or private property, along with relevant provisions of the Karnataka Forest Act. Further investigation is currently underway.
Farmer's Grievance and Protest Motivation
Vishukumar told the police that he had been protesting the clearing of sandalwood trees on his land for an NHAI highway project. He claimed that approximately 30 sandalwood trees on his four-acre land in Tarikere taluk are being cut following acquisition proceedings. After local protests failed to yield results, he traveled to Bengaluru and cut a branch of a government-owned sandalwood tree near the Vidhana Soudha to draw the government's attention to his grievance.
This act highlights the ongoing tensions between infrastructure development and environmental or agricultural concerns in the region. The NHAI project in Chikkamagaluru's Tarikere taluk has sparked controversy, with farmers like Vishukumar facing significant losses due to tree felling.
Broader Implications and Context
The incident underscores the challenges faced by farmers in balancing land rights with national development projects. Sandalwood trees, known for their high value, are a critical source of income for many in Karnataka, making their loss particularly impactful.
- The protest near Vidhana Soudha, a symbol of state governance, was a strategic move to amplify the farmer's voice.
- Local authorities are now tasked with addressing such grievances while ensuring legal compliance.
- This case may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future, especially under new legal frameworks like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for dialogue between government agencies and affected communities to mitigate conflicts over land and resource use.
