Bengaluru roads blocked during rush Hour amid Massive farmer Protests

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, March 03, 2016:  The road to the Bengaluru airport is blocked with thousands farmers from several districts of drought-hit Karnataka arriving in the capital to stage a protest in front of the state secretariat.
 

The police have blocked the entry of tractors and lorries into the city to stall the protesters, who allege a lack of support from the state government at a time of acute farmer distress.

The farmers, who have driven into Bengaluru from Chikkballapur, Kolar, Tumkur and Bengaluru Rural districts say that they want a permanent solution to the irrigation crisis in the state.

 

They have pinned their hopes on the Yettinahole Irrigation Project, which will divert water from the Netravathi River towards the thirsty districts but people who live near the river have protested against the project.

When the police blocked the protesters today from proceeding to the Vidhana Soudha where the legislature is in session, the farmers attempted to enter the city blocking roads and throwing Bengaluru’s already difficult traffic into an even worse situation.

Police have told the farmers they can demonstrate at the city’s Freedom Park.
 
With an estimated crop loss in 70 per cent of sown area, Karnataka was the first state in the country to declare drought in the Rabi season. It has sought a Central aid of Rs. 1,400 crore.
 
Last year the state witnessed more than 1,000 farmer suicides - the highest in a decade. Even well-irrigated areas like Mandya reported several instances. This year looks set to be worse, say farmers.