Daijiworld Media Network – Chikmagalur (SP)

Chikmagalur, Mar 12: The farmers, angered by the fact that the cable laying work connected with Nandikoor-based Udupi Power Corporation Ltd’s power plant was continuing in spite of their objection about non-payment of compensation, tied up workers involved, on Friday March 11. The incident occurred at Hallibail in Moodigere taluk in the district.

The work of laying high tension cables from the UPCL plant in Udupi district to Hassan, is progressing briskly. The line passes through various places in the taluk including Gutti, Jenubail, Anajoor, Hallibail, Mannikere etc. The contract for laying cables has been given to Deepak Cable Company from Bangalore.

The government had issued notification for laying this line, which envisages drawing of 25 cables covering a width of ten feet each. Every tower is 150 feet high. The villagers, who have lost their lands for the cable towers, are angry at the fact that compensation was not paid for the land taken over from them. They therefore, registered their protest by tying 18 workers engaged in cable laying work at Hallibaill within the jurisdiction of Banakal police station.

These workers hired by Deepak Cable Company were cutting off coffee, areca and banana trees located in the land owned by Ganesh and Sudhakar, when the owners asked them to go back. As the workers stuck their stand that they would not return unless told by the company officials, the locals tied them up. The policemen from Banakal station reached the spot later, and convinced the villagers to release the workers.

Banakal station sub-inspector of police, Ramakrishna, who held talks with the farmers, told them the company has promised that the compensation will be paid within four days, and that the works will continue after the compensation is paid.