Chikkamagaluru: The villagers of Bannur in Narasimharajapura Taluk boycotted the elections and staged a protest in Bannur following the delay in issuing title deeds to the landless.
Speaking on the occasion, President of the Struggle Committee B. S. Srikanth Kumbrumane said that Soppinakadu, Shettihitlu, Koodige, Jakkanakki, Halasuru, and Bannur villages have a population of more than 4,000. “SCs and STs, Minorities and Backward Classes have been living in the village as destitute for hundreds of years,” he said.
“An application has been made to the Forest Rights Committee to get 94C, 53, 57 and title deed of the Revenue Department prescribed by the Government every year. However, no one has been given a title deed so far,” he said.
He alleged that title deeds were not issued to the landless who had been residing for many years despite having 315 acres of grazing land in the area. “We will vote in the upcoming Assembly elections only after the villagers of Shettihitlu, Kumbrumane, Soppinakadu, Jakkanakki, Koodige and Halasuru in Bannur limits are given the title deeds. Otherwise, the villagers of Eluru will boycott the elections and prevent them from carrying out political campaigns in the village,” he said.
Samiti Vice-President Harish, Secretary Aisha, Villagers T. Krishnappa, Shankar, Annappa, Umesh, Ratna, B. T. Ramesh, Umesh, Satish, Ravi and others were present.
