The Anti-Land Grabbing Action Committee, which had launched a sit-in demonstration on September 8 will end its agitation on Wednesday as the Karnataka Land-grabbing Prohibition Bill, 2011, got the President’s nod a few days back.
The 96-year-old freedom fighter, H S Doreswamy, had launched the agitation against the rampant encroachment upon the government lands, lakes, forests and hillocks across the State.
He had even threatened to go on a fast-unto-death alleging the government’s delay tactic in implementing the law to curb land grabbing menace.
The government had prepared the Karnataka Land-grabbing Prohibition Bill way back in 2007 and had sent it for the President’s approval, but successive governments had not pursued it.
The inordinate delay resulted in large-scale land encroachment, compelling the freedom fighter to get into a combative mode.
As the agitation started gathering steam with more and more people participating in the event, the government finally swung into action and got the Bill signed by the President a few days ago.
Two DCs appointed
Once the bill became the law, the government passed an order to appoint two deputy commissioners to work independently and specifically on land-grabbing cases.
Further, it will set up special courts to deal with cases pertaining to land grabbing. H S Doreswamy on Tuesday said, “The chief minister has paid attention to the matter and his initial actions indicate that land grabbing will be addressed duly. So, we will end the dharna Satyagraha tomorrow (Wednesday), and hold victory celebrations on Thursday at 11 am near Town Hall.”
Key report
Former legislator A T Ramaswamy, who was instrumental in preparing a key report on land grabbing cases, urged the agitators to be vigilant.
He said, “Activists of various organisations, under the guidance of H S Doreswamy, will form vigilance teams to ensure that the deputy commissioners are appointed and work of reclaiming and protecting the land from grabbers will proceed in ethical and timely manner.”
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels | Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks