Date:22/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/22/stories/2006112203990500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

State accused of taking away land

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Kadugodi Plantation Dalit Farmers Struggle Committee representing small land holders on the 389-acre government plot in Kadugodi plantation (Dinnur), Bidarahalli Hobli of Bangalore East Taluk, on Tuesday alleged that the Special Deputy Commissioner had declared that it did not belong to them.

Speaking to presspersons here, committee working president M. Sampangi, president N. Munikrishna and general secretary P. Muniraju said that the Government sanctioned 677.03 acres of land, including the 389 acres of land, to landless farmers, many of whom were Dalits, 55 years ago. The farmers developed it by filling the gorges and had been carrying on agriculture there. In 1983-84, the Government acquired 288 acres of land . But, the remaining 389 acres of land had been with the other members of the society and their names had been recorded in the khata, pahani and the agricultural passbooks, they said. They said the Special Deputy Commissioner directed the authorities to mention the Government as the owner in the pahani column of revenue records.