Bangalore: Father, Son with Forum to Take on State, NICE Project

Bangalore, Dec 6 (DHNS): Bhoo Swadheena Virodhi Vedike, a forum fighting acquisition of land for Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) on Sunday decided to launch “disobedience movement” against the project. 

The decision was taken at the Vedike’s “People’s Court” which was attended by the JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy who are up in arms over the BMIC project. 

Stating that he is a full-time farmer and a part-time politician, Gowda said he would continue his fight against the project. He further alleged Advocate General Ashok Haranahalli has misled the Supreme court recently by stating that the state government was ready to hand over land to the NICE, while the Chief Secretary had directed the AG to inform the apex court that the government needs some time before handing over the land, he said.

“The Advocate General should explain who gave him the authority to make submissions before the Supreme Court on providing land to the NICE. By doing so, the AG has gifted 4,914 acres of excess land worth thousands of crores to the NICE at the expense of poor farmers and land losers,’’ he alleged.

Gowda, during whose tenure as the chief minister, the MoU on the project was signed, gave details of the project starting from its launch in 1995 while Kumaraswamy, during whose term a commission of inquiry was set up, explained measures he took to check the irregularities. The Vedike also decided to institute a criminal prosecution against the accused. The People’s Court also highlighted the problems of the farmers whose land will be acquired for the project.

Padayatra

JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday said he will take out a padayatra to Mysore from Bangalore, protesting the alleged irregularities in implementing the controversial BMIC project.

He told reporters that he will visit all places where the state government and the project promoter, NICE, are planning to acquire farm land. He will organise the affected farmers and launch a movement against the project, he added.