Farmers in Karnataka stage protests against amendments to APMC & Land Reforms Act

Pro-farmer organisations backed by a number of or social and political outfits on Monday std protests across Karnataka over amendments to APMC and land reforms act. demonstrations were against two important amendments to Karnataka Land Reforms Act and Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act passed by Karnataka Assembly despite strong objection by opposition parties, mainly Congress and JD(S).

amendment to KLR Act lifts restrictions on purchasing agricultural land and enables any individual to purchase it.

Earlier, law permitted only farmers to purchase agricultural land in state.

repeal of certain provisions in APMC Act through an amendment allows private players to directly purchase agriculture produce from farmers, which was prohibited earlier.

protesters alleged that se laws will ruin agriculture sector as people with moneybags will purchase agricultural land to convert ir black money into white and turn agriculture land into real estate business.

farmers alleged that amendment to APMC Act will deprive m of minimum support price and enable multinational companies and big corporate houses to directly procure produce at ir rates.

call for a bandh given by Karnataka Raitha Sangha (Karnataka Farmers' Association) and or farmer organisations is supported by Congress, JD(S), Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) and Left parties.

protests were std at important locations in Bengaluru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, Ballari, Raichur, Chitrurga, Kalaburagi, Ygir, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Bidar, Belagavi, Uttara Kanna, Udupi, Dharw and Davangere among ors.

Igring coronavirus fear, farmers came on ros in groups, raised slogans, took out bike rallies, burnt tyres in protest on ro and std sit-in demonstrations.

At many places, demonstrators courted arrest.

In Bengaluru, farmers and KRV members including its chief T A Narayana Gowda took out a rally and tried to stop buses when y were arrested.

Protests were held at various places including Mysuru Bank circle, Town Hall, Yelahanka and Ballari Ro in city.

Congress, which has extended support to protests, said it will st a demonstration in front of its office on Race Course Ro in Bengaluru.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday h appealed to protestors t to create unnecessary confusion over amendments.

Stating that he h spoken to leers of farmers organisations, Yediyurappa said his government's stand and expectations of Prime Minister were in favour of farmers.

Revenue Minister R Ashoka h said re would be scope for bandh from government side.

As re was a crackdown on protesters, AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, asked Chief Minister to repeal 'draconian amendments' inste of banning bandh.

"Dear B S Yediyurappa ji, Inste of banning Farmers #Karnataka Bandh, 'ban' & 'banish' anti farmer- labourer mindset. Withdraw law & apologise for blatant sell out by BJP on Land Reforms Bill. Repeal draconian amendments to APMC Act. This is your litmus test!" he tweeted.

Im credits: ANI