Hundreds of families affected by the NICE project took part in the protest. According to one of the organisers, Raghu Nath, the awareness rally has helped many farmers and other families who were not aware of the project and court orders which has asked the state government to ensure rehabilitation.
The intellectuals kept away from our issue thinking it is only a political issue created by Deve Gowda, but now they understand and support us, he said.
200 policemen
A police constable at the scene said that more than 200 policemen were deployed on Sunday, while on the second day over 500 policemen were deployed.
As they passed areas occupied by the NICE, one farmer named Ravi Chandan, pointed out to a space near the BMIC toll booth, and said: “My house used to be there, until they threw us out. Around 400 odd houses were demolished in the area where I resided.”
All the members of these families took part in the final stretch of the campaign, including 500 more from other areas.
Secretary of Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha Indudhara Honnapura, Kannada writer Devanur Mahadeva, KRRS President Kodihalli Chandrashekar were among the people who spoke at the event. Social Activist, Medha Patkar who was expected to participate did not attend.
The campaigners have collectively taken a decision that the excess land acquired by NICE be given back to the original owners within seven days from Sunday.
“If not then we shall go on a hunger strike. All the people from today and activists like Medha will also join us,”
said Raghu. Puttanaiah, President of Raitha Sangha, has also pledged support to the movement by deciding to launch another massive awareness campaign within a week at Mandya.
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