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Members of Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti (KBSS) supported by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) sat in a silent protest in the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office at State Bank, Mangaluru on November 9:00 at 10:00 am for the withdrawal of the land acquisition for Mangalore Refinery’s fourth phase.
The commencement of this protest was by being seated in the corridors of the DC office without uttering a word. Hundreds of them including the farmers of Kuthethoor and Permude with social activist Vidya Dinker took part in this campaign. The protest did not disrupt work in the DC office or pose any kind of obstruction.
“This protest was for seven hours, where all of us were unified and gave our best to make this protest a success,” said William D’Souza, the KBSS vice president. Riya Tomy, an MSW student from St Aloysius College said, “The people who were concerned about the farmers cause provided support by delivering food in the DC office.” The farmers’ sit-in protest was a success as Sasikanth Senthil S., IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district finally relented and sent a letter to the Government of Karnataka.
“The protest in DC office today was successful. If our demand would not have been fulfilled then we had the plan of staying until our expectations were met. The DC sent our letter with his observations and suggestions to the Government of Karnataka so we concluded our protest for today.” Said Mr Lawrence D’Cunha, the Secretary of KBSS and he further added that this fight would not be stopped until they get their justice.
“We farmers have been struggling since 2008 and have won in 2011, but the same situation is aroused again in 2015 with this fourth phase for the expansion of the same MRPL industry, yet we farmers have never lost hopes nor our strength to protect the land,” said John Pinto, a farmer from Permude.
