Shivamogga: Forging ahead with their decades-long demand for land rights, victims of the Sharavathi submersion project held a massive protest today in Sagara taluk of Shivamogga district. Led by the Malnad Ryot Horata Samiti (Malnad Farmers' Protest Committee), thousands of farmers participated, expressing their outrage by blocking the newly constructed Sigandur bridge.

"Land is More Important Than the Bridge": Farmers' Outrage

Led by the Samiti President, Ti. Na. Srinivas, protesters gathered on the new bridge connecting Ambaragodlu and Kalasavalli, completely halting traffic. This resulted in a massive traffic jam across the bridge. "The right to the land that sustains our lives is more important to us than a grand bridge," the farmers shouted in unison.

Key Demands of the Farmers:

Immediate issuance of land title deeds (Hakkupatra) to farmers cultivating on KPC (Karnataka Power Corporation) land.

Land Return: Return of unused KPC land to the original farmers.

End Evictions: The Forest Department must stop all efforts to evict farmers from their cultivated lands.

Time-bound Resolution: Permanent title deeds must be provided to Sharavathi submersion victims within a specific timeframe.

Condemnation of the Government and Representatives

Commencing the struggle by singing the Raitha Geethe (Farmers' Anthem) at the protest site, the farmers expressed deep dissatisfaction with the delay tactics of both the State and Central governments. They raised slogans against local MLAs, MPs, and Members of Parliament, alleging that their representatives have failed to respond to their grievances.

The police maintained tight security at the spot to ensure no untoward incidents occurred. This struggle by the victims has further intensified the fire of land rights movements in the Malnad region.