Denotification victory to long struggle: Seer

The govt decision to denotify land is like a miracle, says farmer

Speaking to presspersons here on Wednesday, he said of the 2,035 acre notified land, the government has denotified 1998.3 acre.

He said “the government should not acquire fertile farm land for industrial purpose. The government has responded to our demand. The government withdrawing the process of land acquisition is a victory to our four years long struggle. The farmers should cultivate in the farm land and become model for the entire state.”

He said “the government should not go for forceful acquisition of the farm land. We do not want any industries which are harmful to the environment.”
Support to Kudbis

Though the government has denotified the land meant for second phase of MSEZ, the government has issued a final notification for 37.28 acre government land, where Kudbis have been residing and cultivating the fertile land for several decades. “Our fight for Kudbis to get justice will continue. We will not leave them,” he added. The case related to acquisition of land belonging to the Kudbis is before the Lokayukta.

Victory

Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samithi President Madhukar Amin said “denotifying the notified land for MSEZ second phase is a victory to our four years long struggle. So far the government was only promising us of denotifying the land. However, now the gazette notification has been issued and the move should be welcomed.”

He said “the government should acquire barren land for industrial purpose. We had demanded the government to denotify 2,035 acre meant for MSEZ second phase. We will discuss on how to provide justice to the Kudbis who have lost land.”

The officials had acquired land belonging to Kudbis by citing that it was government land. In Kudubi Padau, paddy and vegetable growing land which
was the sustenance of several poor Kudubi families was forcibly acquired for the relocation of daivas and temples which were lost in the MSEZ’s Phase I land acquisition.

Farmers speak

William D’Souza of Kuthethoor who would have lost his fertile 15.53 acre for the second phase of MSEZ, if the government had not denotified, said: “The government’s decision to denotify the land is like miracle for us. I was growing arecanut, coconut, vegetables and paddy using organic manure. I will continue farming. Farm land should be protected for the future generation.”

Lawrence D’Cunha has a record of 450 jasmine plants in his land and owns 18 acres of fertile land.

“I am happy with the government’s decision to denotify the land,” he said.
Mary Fernandes who owns 12.5 acre in Permude said: “With the denotification, we can heave a sigh of relief and continue with our profession. We have got back our farm land which we were cultivating for decades.”

‘We will not leave our land’

With the government issuing final notification to acquire 37.38 acre in Kudubi Padav, the Kudbis who have been cultivating the land for decades said: “We will not leave our land.”
Korgu Gowda and Malappa Gowda said they are not interested in development. “We were not given any compensation. We want our land back and allow us to
live peacefully.”

Expressing confidence of getting back their land, another victim Shymala said: “We were growing paddy, vegetables for our requirement in the land. Now the MSEZ has acquired the land and we are struggling to get meals a day. We are scared to venture out of our house fearing that the house will be acquired.”