Farmers Protest Power Transmission Towers in Bantwal Village
Tensions escalated in Darbalike, Bantwal, on Tuesday, November 19, as farmers, led by the Farmers‘ Union, staged a protest against the installation of 400 kV power transmission towers. The demonstration led to a halt in construction, with farmers demanding that their concerns be addressed before further progress.
The dispute began when Sterlite Power, the project contractor, began clearing land in a private field and uprooting trees with JCB machines. The company, operating with police protection, had not secured prior approval from the Forest Department, nor had it informed the local farmers about the project.
Upon learning of the activity, members of the 400 kV Affected Farmers Struggle Committee arrived at the site, accusing both the authorities and the contractor of neglecting to consult with the local community. “We will not allow this power line to cross through our land,” declared Oswald Prakash Fernandes, the district president of the Farmers’ Union, stressing the need to preserve the land for future generations.
Farmers criticized the lack of formal communication or meetings regarding the project. “This land has been passed down to us by our ancestors, and we are bound to protect it,” said Fernandes. Other protesters, including Benedict Carlo and Arun D’Souza, joined in calling for transparency and proper discussions before any further work.
Despite efforts by Bantwal officials to mediate, the protest persisted. Authorities emphasized that the 400 kV transmission line was a national project, urging farmers to allow construction to continue in designated areas.
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