Protest continues over building Nimhans on farm land

Mysuru: A huge protest march will be held on May 15 demanding protection of farm land and green belt areas at Gudumadanahalli village in Mysuru district, where state govt is proposing to build a unit of Nimhans.The protest is being jointly organised by the Karnataka State Farmers’ Association, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti and several progressive organisations. The march will begin from Gudumadanahalli and proceed to the CM’s office located within Mysuru ZP premises.The march will begin from Gudumadanahalli and proceed to the CM’s office located within the Mysuru ZP premises.Protesters said they fully support the establishment of Nimhans hospital in Mysuru, but are against constructing it on fertile agricultural land. They have urged the govt to consider alternative sites like Hosahundi or Immavu village in the Varuna constituency, alleging that the present location was selected under political pressure.According to the organisers, nearly 80 families have been cultivating coconut, paddy and other crops on the 36-acre land for more than seven decades. The region, nourished by the Dalavayi Lake and Varuna Canal, is regarded as an important green belt supporting dairy farming, livestock rearing and the rural economy. The protesters also argued that the soil in the proposed area is highly water-retentive and unsuitable for major construction activities. They further claimed that converting grazing and agricultural land for the project would violate environmental norms and court directions.Despite 129-day protest and repeated appeals to the govt, the land allotment has not been withdrawn, they said.Maj Gen (Rtd) SG Vombatkere, Badagalapura Nagendra and MLA Darshan Puttannaiah are expected to participate in the march.A huge march will be held on May 15