Ryots protest against issues

Demand compensation for crop loss, 3-phase power for 10 hours

Activists of Hasiru Sene and Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha staged a dharna before the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday — urging the government to fulfill their demands, which were in the interest of farmers.

“Drinking water is still a mirage in thousands of villages. Though farmers are caught in the whirlpool of so many problems, government has made no effort to bring solace to them.

Power outages have become order of the day. Sowing and agricultural activities have been hit with delayed monsoon, yet the government officials are going about collecting loan dues from farmers, in a rather inhuman manner. If this continues, the officers who come to collect loan dues will be tied up within the village,” the protestors warned.

Criticising the recently concluded Global Investors Meet, the protestors said natural resources which were available for the need of every being, were now being restricted and made exclusively available for capitalists.

“The country and state are being presented on a platter for capitalists. Along with presenting agricultural heritage at the GIM, the state also lay bare the agricultural lands, grazing grounds and other sites of common use, for capitalists to choose from. The state was put on sale,” they said.

Demanding that loans of farmers be waived off, protestors presented their list of demands which included farmers be compensated for delayed monsoon and crop loss, offer crop insurance and protection, provide financial assistance to the education of their children, provide three phase power supply for at least 10 hours every day among others.

Shouting slogans against minister Murugesh Nirani, who has having allegedly slapped a farmer, the protestors took out a march from the Hemavathi statue and arrived at the deputy commissioner’s office. Sangha vice-president C G Ravi, secretary C R Krishne Gowda and others were present.