Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 14 (ANI): Two FIRs have been registered at the Bidadi Police Station in Ramanagara district after a clash allegedly broke out during a land survey for the proposed Bidadi Township project, with one case naming 11 individuals and another booking “farmers” for allegedly obstructing officials and attacking the survey team.
According to police, the incident took place between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm on July 13 at Survey in Mandalhalli village, Bidadi Hobli, where officials were conducting a land survey as part of the acquisition process for the proposed township project.
The first FIR was filed by Mohammed Sameer (34), a driver from Mothi Nagara in Ramanagara. He named 11 persons as accused, including residents of Hosuru, Mandalhalli, Bannigiri, Kanchugaranahalli and Byramangala villages in Bengaluru South district.
The accused have been booked under Sections 189(2), 126(2), 352, 351(2), 109(1), 115(2), 118(1), 132, 133, 74 and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The second FIR was lodged by Murali (40), a police officer attached to Ramanagara Rural Police Station. In this case, “Farmers” from Bengaluru South have been listed as the accused under the same provisions of the BNS.
According to the complaint filed by Murali, officials from the revenue, forest and horticulture departments, accompanied by police personnel, were carrying out the land survey when a group of farmers allegedly gathered at the spot, obstructed the survey and assaulted the officials and police personnel.
The FIR alleges that stones and sticks were used during the incident. It further states that four people sustained “minor” injuries, including police officer Murali, Mahesh, Rohini and Keerthana, all residents of Ramanagara Town.
The complaint also alleged that the windows of a vehicle, which were being used by the survey team, were damaged during the incident.
Both FIRs invoke provisions related to unlawful assembly, rioting, assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty, mischief causing damage to property and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Bidadi Police have registered both cases and initiated an investigation into the incident.
The clash comes after protests intensified by hundreds of farmers, predominantly women wielding brooms, chased away government survey teams. Farmers damaged vehicles and clashed with police, forcing a halt to the survey.
The Karnataka government’s proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) has sparked strong opposition from farmers and triggered a political row over land acquisition. Envisioned as India’s first “AI-powered city” in Bidadi, around 40 km from Bengaluru, the project covers nearly 9,600 acres and requires the acquisition of vast stretches of fertile agricultural land. (ANI)
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