Farmers of Sathenahalli interrupted the works on the gas pipeline laid from Mangalore to Bangalore, staged a protest and urged the authorities concerned to resume the works only after disbursing compensation for the acquired land as per the prevailing market price, here, on Monday.

They said, the Deputy Commissioner had assured the farmers that the compensation would match market value, during a meeting of farmers, convened by him two months back. “Officials of HPCL, land acquisition officer and Revenue department officials were present in the meeting.

However, the government has taken an unilateral decision and has fixed the compensation far less than the market price.

 We need at least Rs one crore compensation per acre of land,” the protesters demanded.
“One acre of land is sold for more than Rs one crore at Sathenahalli and surrounding villages whereas the compensation fixed is Rs 53,000 per acre. We have lost precious land for the gas pipeline project. If the authorities resume work, we will intensify the stir,” they warned.

District Congress vice-president Narayana Gowda, Grama Panchayat ex-president Ashok and others were present.