Bengaluru Farmers Refuse to Yield as Government Pushes Suburban Project Amid Land Acquisition Concerns

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In a tense standoff, farmers in Ramanagara district, Bengaluru, staged a sit-in protest outside the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority office on Saturday. The demonstration was led by farmers from Bhairamangala and Kanchugaranahalli gram panchayat limits, who voiced concerns over the loss of their agricultural land and livelihoods. The protest coincided with a grievance redressal meeting, where Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna attempted to address the farmers' concerns. However, the farmers remained unconvinced, demanding the immediate scrapping of the land acquisition process for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Suburban Project. They insisted that the project's decision was made without their consent and that no amount of compensation could replace their ancestral land. As the situation escalated, MLA Balakrishna retreated and later attempted to reason with the protesters, but they refused to back down. Ramanagara farmer leader N Putta Swamy emphasized the significance of preserving the land, which has been cultivated by generations. Another farmer, BK Rangappa, warned that if the government continues with land acquisition, the agitation will spread across affected villages. With the protest ongoing, it remains to be seen whether the government will heed the farmers' demands and withdraw the proposed land acquisition. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between government projects and community interests, with the farmers determined to protect their land and livelihoods.