Land agitators give 2 days time to government, threaten jail bharo

The indefinite protest by the Committee for Landless and Homeless People enters fifth day. If the government does not take action within the next two days they threaten jail bharo. Freedom fighter H S Doreswamy started the registration campaign for jail bharo. Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa rushed to the spot, tried to convince the agitators to withdraw the agitation but failed

The indefinite protest staged by the Committee for the Landless and Homeless People entered its 5^th day. The agitators have given 2 days time to the government to take action or face jail bharo agitation.

The agitation with a slogan “Don’t betray people, don’t go back on promises” had veteran freedom fighter H S Doreswamy launching a registration campaign by signing on a form. He said the agitation has entered its 5^th day but the people’s representatives are being blind and deaf to our calls. We are fighting for justice and we are ready to go to jail or even give up our lives, he said.  He gave a call for peaceful protest.

He criticised Revenue Minister Thimmappa that the minister may participate in a phone-in program on a channel and assure to sort out 12 cases. But in every village there are hundreds of people deprived of basic rights. The assurance should not be limited to mere 15 but 15 lakh poor. Issues cannot be sorted out in the media. Committees should be formed, debates should be heard and only after considering all aspects resolutions must be made, he said.

Granting land to the poor is not alms that the government is giving but it is their birthright. Vacate the land encroached by the rich and mighty and distribute it to poor.  High Level Committees have to be formed to formulate and implement new policies to facilitate proper implementation of government’s welfare programs, he said.

Thinker and writer Dr G Ramakrishna said the clever representatives of people can understand all other aspects except the cry of the poor. Like Bhagat Singh said we have to agitate to make the government listen to our plight. It is the responsibility of the government to provide basic facilities to the poor, he said.

Committee leader Sirimane Nagaraj said if the government does not take action within the next two days, they would resort to jail bharo campaign.

Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa rushed to the spot and spoke to the agitators.  He assured that the issue would be discussed with the chief minister on June 22 at the Cabinet meeting.  He asked the agitators to provide the list of their grievances and take back the agitation.

The agitators were not convinced by his assurances and said they would continue the agitation till all their demands are met.