Land identified for the airport in Hassan.
DH Photo
Hassan: Farmers staged a protest, over the construction of the compound on the proposed Hassan airport site, in Boovanahalli, on the outskirts of Hassan city, on Saturday.
The farmers alleged that the construction has been taken up, without issuing compensation to the farmers, who have lost their lands to the airport project.
The agitators said, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) officials have allegedly proceeded with the compound construction, despite a court injunction against any construction activity on the said site, leading to a verbal confrontation. Tension prevailed at the location for some time.
There was a confusion, regarding compensation, between the landowners of Boovanahalli, which falls within the airport construction area, and KIADB officials. The High Court has issued an injunction on the designated site. However, the officials began the compound construction work on Saturday morning, farmers said.
MLA Swaroop Prakash visited the site and held a discussion with the farmers and also officials. “A meeting between airport officials and the displaced landowners is scheduled for Wednesday, January 23. A suitable decision will be made in the meeting, after reviewing the relevant documents. Meanwhile, instructions have been given to halt the work in the area,” the MLA said.
“Over 100 police officers and personnel were deployed for security, before the commencement of work. We have provided our lands for the airport project. We also wish for the completion of the airport’s construction, soon. However, the use of police force, to intimidate us, without providing compensation is bad. This reflects the respect the governments and people’s representatives have for the farming community," said the farmers.