Police in Ramanagara district on Monday registered two cases of attempted murder after government officials deputed to conduct a land survey for the proposed Bidadi town project were attacked in Mandalahalli village, officers familiar with the matter said.
Sub-inspector P Iniah said two cases were registered based on complaints from a government surveyor and Ramanagara rural police inspector Murali, who was injured during the alleged encounter.
The officials were deputed by the Joint Measurement Committee, the officer said. The accident occurred after hundreds of farmers blocked the road, demanding the withdrawal of the project.
A group of local women allegedly beat government officials with brooms while others threw stones at their cars. Enaya said: “We have not arrested anyone yet and have opened an investigation.”
He also claimed that clashes between locals started after a group of villagers to support the project arrived at the site.
He added that when the crowd refused to disperse, officers evacuated the area and escorted the survey team to safety. More police personnel have since been deployed to the village to prevent further disturbances.
The protesting farmers said that they will continue their protests until the government withdraws the proposal to establish the town. One of the demonstrators said: “We are ready to sacrifice our lives, but we will never give up our land for the sake of the town project.”
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy claimed that the officials reached the village without informing the residents in advance.
“However, women farmers should not take the law into their own hands. We are with the farmers. Several legal efforts are already underway to stop the township project. There is no need to panic. The government is responsible for creating this unpleasant situation in the village, and the police should also act with restraint,” he added.
