Decision on scrapping Devanahalli land acquisition by July 15, says Siddaramaiah | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah Friday assured a delegation of farmers that a final decision on their demand to stop land acquisition proceedings for 1,777 acres of fertile farmland in Channarayapatna hobli, Devanahalli taluk, will be taken on July 15.During a meeting with farmers at Vidhana Soudha, Siddaramaiah said land acquisition, for which a final notification was issued in April, must undergo legal scrutiny before further action.“There are certain legal hurdles related to scrapping the land acquisition process, and legal experts have suggested rectifying them. The govt needs 10 days to resolve these issues,” he said. He said the govt cannot take a decision that goes against legal provisions, as the final notification was issued in accordance with rules.Actor and activist Prakash Raj, who was part of the farmers’ delegation, said the govt had responded positively. “Farmers decided not to sell their land,” he said. “The govt first wounded them with a preliminary notification, and instead of healing it, deepened the wound with the final one. We hope the CM will now withdraw acquisition plans.” He said their ‘movement’ had gained statewide attention, with support from national-level organisations.Farmers from Devanahalli have been protesting at Freedom Park in Bengaluru since Wednesday. Hundreds arrived from across Karnataka, bringing fruits, vegetables, and flowers from their fields as a symbolic protest. They have vowed to continue the agitation until a final decision is announced on July 15.Farmer dies en route to protest site A 50-year-old farmer from Chamarajanagar district died while on his way to join Devanahalli farmers’ protest at Freedom Park. S Girish, deputy commissioner (west division), said Eshwar, a resident of Kurubarahundi village in Gundlupet taluk travelled overnight by train from Mysuru to Bengaluru. He collapsed near Sangolli Rayanna Circle. He was immediately taken to a private hospital in Seshadripuram, where he was declared dead. Preliminary reports suggest he may have had a history of blood pressure and diabetes.