Bengaluru: The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) called off its meeting Saturday to fix the price of land designated for a defence and aerospace park, providing significant relief to farmers in Devanahalli.The decision not to go ahead with the meeting was announced Thursday, the day TOI published an article titled “Ryots: Land still being bought for Devanahalli aerospace park,” which reported that KIADB was continuing land acquisitions despite assurances from the govt to halt the process.In its official statement, KIADB cited administrative reasons for postponing the price determination meeting.Officials said KIADB had issued notices on Aug 29 to residents of two villages—Hyalada and Gokare Bachenahalli—in Channarayapattana hobli of Devanahalli taluk, near Kempegowda International Airport. The notices scheduled a meeting to set land prices. Following the issuance of these notices, farmers in Devanahalli alleged that KIADB was proceeding with land acquisition despite the govt’s commitment to withdraw the process.After more than three years of protests against land acquisition, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 15 officially announced the withdrawal of the acquisition of 1,177 acres. However, the govt has not published a notification to formalise this decision.Farmers had planned to stage a protest on Nrupatunga Road to block Saturday’s meeting. KIADB became aware of the planned resistance and anticipated that media coverage of the protest could cause embarrassment to the govt. Consequently, KIADB decided to postpone the meeting and informed the farmers without specifying a new date. Sources stated that the meeting would be permanently cancelled if the govt issues a notification formalising the decision to drop the land acquisition process in Channarayapattana hobli.Activist Karahalli Srinivas told STOI, “KIADB decision to cancel the meeting is a welcome move. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 15 announced that the govt cancelled the forcible land acquisition from the farmers. Let the govt publish an official notification about it.”In its official communication, KIADB mentioned that notices were issued for 439 acres of land in Hyadala and Gokhare Bachenahalli village. However, the meeting was ultimately postponed, citing administrative reasons.
