KSIC land row: Protest continues, garners support from MP, actor

Mysuru: The KSIC land controversy took a new turn, with actor Arjun Ramesh and BJP functionary Thontadappa Basavaraj launching a fast unto death in support of labourers at the factory premises in T Narasipura. This came amidst KSIC workers in Mysuru boycotting their duties at the silk weaving factory in Ashokapuram.Meanwhile, the stadium work was stopped until further orders from the state govt, according to sources. Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, on Wednesday, met chief minister Siddaramaiah at the Mysuru Airport and asked him not to use KSIC property for the stadium project.
Mysuru minister HC Mahadevappa, who represents T Narasipura assembly segment, was present with the chief minister when the BJP MP discussed the issue with Siddaramaiah. BJP leaders, including opposition leader R Ashoka, Rajya Sabha MP Jaggesh, MLC CT Ravi, and others, will join the protest on Friday.According to sources, the labourers' protest continued to hamper the factory work. The labourers refused to resume work, demanding a govt order scrapping the stadium project on the factory land. "Two individuals also started a fast unto death. They sent an intimation in this regard on Wednesday afternoon," officials explained.According to activists, over 100 Mysuru silk saree lovers from across the state joined the protest on Thursday. They urged the state to allot land for the stadium at another site.Meanwhile, writer Kalegowda Nagavara visited the factory on Thursday and extended support. He was accompanied by Parashurame Gowda, general secretary of People for Environment. Speaking on the occasion, Kalegowda Nagavara warned that building the stadium would have a cascading effect on the KSIC factory and local biodiversity. "Handing over the KSIC land to the stadium is a foolish decision. It will have a negative impact on the entire ecology and economy," he said.——BOXDYES refuted the charges that the proposed stadium works would hamper KSIC factory and cause its closure. Department's assistant director Bhaskara Nayak said the location was finalised after a detailed search across the town. "Inside the town, five acres of suitable land is not available in any other place. The proposed stadium works will not hamper KSIC works or its expansion in any way," he clarified."Out of the 12 acres available, only 5 acres is going to be used for the stadium. The revenue department handed over the land to us. We will abide by the state govt's decision," he said. The site was finalised for the stadium after a site inspection by senior officials, he clarified.