Date:10/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/10/stories/2007051019300400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Plan to stall land auction tomorrow

Staff Reporter

Activists of various parties to stage a protest at the venue

BANGALORE: Some political parties and organisations have decided to stall auctioning of government land from Friday at the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Urban).

The decision was taken at a roundtable against auctioning of government land organised by Communist Party of India (Marxist) here on Wednesday. Activists of Janata Dal (United), Communist Party of India, CPI(M), Republican Party of India, Samajwadi Party, Dalit Sangharsha Samithi and other organisations will stage a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office.

CPI(M) District Committee Secretary K. Prakash said, "We will not allow the officials and those who are taking part in the auction to enter the premises."

Earlier, speaking at the roundtable, former Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) MLA P.G.R. Sindhia said that the land acquired in excess for the international airport at Devanahalli should be returned to farmers instead of auctioning it.

He said, "I oppose auctioning of the land by the Government. It should be returned to farmers."