Moodbidri, Oct 26: Farmers of Tenkamijaru village staged a strong protest against the destruction of agricultural land allegedly caused by the construction of a 440 KV power transmission line running between Udupi and Kasargod. The villagers accused Sterlite Company of carrying out the project without prior notice or consent, resulting in extensive damage to farmlands.
The protest, jointly organized by the villagers and the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, was held at the site belonging to affected farmer Bhaskar Shetty.. Participants condemned the company’s alleged high-handedness and criticized the government’s inaction in addressing the issue.
Speaking at the protest, former district president of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Shanti Prasad, alleged that continuous injustices were being inflicted on farmers in the Moodbidri region. He stated that infrastructure projects, including national highways and power transmission lines, had become anti-farmer in nature, driving cultivators into distress. The 440 KV line reportedly passes through nine villages in the taluk, affecting several farmers, including Bhaskar Shetty, Sanjeev Gowda, Rajesh Bhandari, Mijaruguttu Praveen Rai, John Rebello, and Jacinta.
He further pointed out that no prior notices or compensation had been provided to the affected landowners. He warned that if the government fails to respond promptly and withdraw its anti-farmer policies, a large-scale protest involving thousands of farmers would be organized in the near future.
Affected farmer Bhaskar Shetty alleged that the company, with police support, was forcibly taking over their agricultural land. He claimed that police personnel were intimidating farmers and pressuring them into signing documents against their will.
Former Tenkamijaru gram panchayat president Balakrishna Devadiga, member Vidyanand Mijaru, Dota Suresh Shetty, and prominent villagers including Vasanth Bhatt, Iruvail Doddaguttu Dinesh Shetty, John Rebello, and Jacinta were present at the protest.
