Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
Notice (8): Undefined variable: urlPrefix [APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp, line 8]latest-news-updates/protest-against-msez-intensifies-2305.html"/> LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Protest against MSEZ intensifies | Im4change.org
Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

Protest against MSEZ intensifies

It is ironic that a farmer, who has to till his lands during monsoons is fighting to save his lands protesting in front of deputy commissioners office, said William DSouza, vice president, Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samithi here on Sunday.

He was addressing the media at the site of the relay indefinite fast, which commenced on Thursday, in support of farmer Gregory Patrao. His agricultural lands were acquired by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) for Phase I of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone Ltd. (MSEZ). The protest entered the fourth day on Sunday.

"This fight is against those who separate farmers from their farmland, said DSouza adding that a government, which has to protect a farmer, has made him come on the streets to fight for his rights.

DSouza said the government and politicians should ensure development and not harassment to farmers. As many as 26 organizations are supporting the fight of Patrao against the government. They have come under the banner Negilayogi Gregory Patrao Hakkugaligge Upvaasa Satyagraha, demanding Patrao and his family be allowed to reside and continue agricultural activities undisturbed on their property and status quo should be maintained, until all legal options available to them are explored.

Shivaprasad, an IT employee from Bangalore, who has come along with six friends from Doddaballapur and Devanahalli said the move of the government is against democracy. "They have to return all his possessions and we demand legal action against officials who have confiscated his property," he said. Manjunath G from Samvada, an NGO from Doddaballapur, said the officials who certified Patraos land as barren should be punished.

The organizations are demanding unconditional and systematic return of all their movable property, including agricultural produce, household goods, clothing, agricultural implements, gold jewelry, cash and other valuables worth Rs 24,65,815, which they allege are forcibly taken away by the DK District Administration and KIADB; withdrawal of criminal cases against Gregory Patrao, his mother; action against officers responsible for such acts as the illegal confiscation of Patrao and his family's personal belongings and agricultural produce among others.