Daijiworld Media Network – Dharwad (SP)

Dharwad, Jan 4: The farmers of Davangere, who are protesting against the move of the government to acquire their lands for Davangere Urban Development Authority (DUDA) for development works, and are demanding for the reopening of Bhadra Cooperative Sugar Factory, launched an indefinite hunger  strike on Sunday January 3, in favour of their demands.

Farmer's indefinite strike inside central jail in Dharwad

The farmers had earlier held rallies, burnt effigies of Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, local MP, G M Siddeshwar, and the DUDA chairman. They had, launched ‘Jail Bharo’ programme after failing to get any result.  DUDA has been claiming that it requires the land for setting up lay outs for distributing house sites to poor landless persons.

The farmers, lodged in Dharwad, Chitradurga and Bellary central jails, had given the government time till Saturday to meet their demands. As the government did not attach any importance to their agitation, they have decided to go on fast unto death. 72 farmers lodged in Dharwad jail, 40 in Bellary and 23 in Chitradurga are on a hunger strike. Bellary Central Jail superintendent, Mallesh, informed that steps are being taken to convince the jailed farmers to withdraw their agitation.