Demanding implementation of the recommendations made by Gorak Singh Committee for the arecanut growers whose plantations have been affected with yellow leaf disease, the members of Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene staged a protest in front of Tahsildar’s office on Friday.

The protesters urged the government to drop the proposal on acquisition of encroached land.

Addressing the protesters, Raitha Sangha State President Kodihalli Chandrashekar said that the Forest Minister had promised of not to clear the encroached land belonging to small farmers. However, the officials are clearing the encroached land.

He said that to protect the interest of the corporates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government passed an ordinance to amended the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The previous UPA government had passed Land Acquisition Act to protect the interest of the farmers. As per the Act, 80 per cent of the farmers consent was essential to acquire a land for the development work.

Demanding the government to withdraw ordinance, a protest will be held at Bengaluru on February 4.

Tahsildar Narayana Rao said that 1,032 persons have encroached 1,120 acre land in Sringeri taluk. Though notices have been issued to all, one gunte land has not been cleared so far.

Kissan Congress Vice President Sachin Meega said that the farmers should question S R Hiremath of Samudaya. The farmers should unitedly fight against the government. If the farmers keep quiet, then Project Tiger and Kasturirangan recommendations will be implemented.

The protesters demanded waiver of loans borrowed by the farmers. A memorandum was submitted to Tahsildar on the occasion.