Stir over Inam land ends

The seven day old agitation by villagers in protest against Inam land eviction drive was called off on Wednesday, following intervention by Home Minister K J George.

The minister visited the protest venue on Tuesday and held talks with protestors. He promised them he would hold talks with the Chief Minister and impress upon him to file a review petition in the court.

Raita Sangha and Inam Land Bhoomi Horata Samiti were jointly staging an indefinite strike from June 4. They had also carried out a torch light procession demanding to solve the issue. In fact, two of the protesters attempted to commit suicide by pouring kerosene on Tuesday, as they were upset over officials attempting to clear land in Hebbale.

However, on Wednesday, Raita Sangha President Duggappa Gowda said that the protest has been withdrawn temporarily as the Home Minister had promised of finding a solution. If the government does not take up the issue, the protest will be intensified, he has warned.

Meet on Inam issue

Meanwhile, a meeting of elected representatives, leaders from various political parties, organisations and officials was held at the deputy commissioner’s office on Tuesday. In the meeting, a decision was taken to urge the government to intervene in the issue and clarify to the court on the confusion created over the issue. As the government had submitted a false report on Inam land dwellers to the court, the government has to now clarify the matter. Ninety eight per cent of the Inam land cultivators are farmers, Dalits and poor who are dependent on agriculture, it was said in the meeting.

The elected representatives said that the issue will be raised in the assembly and a delegation will meet the chief minister to impress upon him to stop the eviction drive.

In several cases, Inam land was sanctioned to cultivators through various orders since 1884, the political leaders said. The CM has convened a meeting to discuss the issue at his residence on Thursday. A decision on the issue is likely to be taken.