Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri

Moodbidri, Oct 26: Farmers of Tenkamijaru village expressed their strong outrage and staged a protest against the destruction of agricultural land allegedly caused by the construction work of a 440 KV power transmission line passing between Udupi and Kasargod. The villagers accused Sterlite Company of carrying out the project without prior notice or intimation, leading to extensive damage to farmlands.

The protest was organized jointly by the villagers and the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh at the site belonging to affected farmer Bhaskar Shetty. They condemned the company’s alleged high-handedness and criticized the government’s inaction in addressing the issue.

Former district president of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Shanti Prasad, speaking at the protest, alleged that continuous atrocities were being committed against farmers in the Moodbidri region. He stated that projects like national highways and power transmission lines had become anti-farmer in nature, pushing 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 noted that no prior notices or compensation had been given to landowners in the affected areas. He warned that if the government fails to respond promptly and withdraw its anti-farmer policies, a massive protest involving thousands of farmers will 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 coercing 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 during the protest.