Krishnagiri's Uproar: Farmers Demand Justice Over Alleged Illegal Land Grab by Businessman

A palpable sense of injustice filled the air in Krishnagiri recently as a determined group of farmers, organized under the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam—the farmers' wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI)—took to the streets. Their target? Businessman V.B.G. Ram G. The farmers gathered with fervent conviction right outside the Krishnagiri Collectorate, their voices ringing with accusations of illegal land acquisition and a profound betrayal of trust.

At the heart of their very public display of anger lies a deeply troubling accusation: that Ram G has, in their view, improperly acquired land for his factory. What’s particularly contentious here is the nature of the land itself – specifically, 2.73 acres designated as 'Panchami land' in Kattinayanapalli village. For those unfamiliar, Panchami lands are historically allotted to Scheduled Castes, meant to uplift and provide for some of the most marginalized communities. So, when such land is allegedly taken without due process or fair compensation, it strikes a very raw nerve indeed.

It's not just the acquisition, you see, but the sheer disregard for proper procedure that truly ignites the farmers' fury. According to the Sangam, these lands, intended for the most vulnerable, were essentially snatched away without any real compensation reaching the rightful farmer beneficiaries or the laborers who depended on them. What’s more, the protesters aren't just pointing fingers at Ram G; they're also laying blame squarely at the feet of the District Collector. They allege a concerning level of complicity, or at the very least, a significant failure to act and protect the rights of the farmers and laborers caught in this distressing situation.

The farmers aren't holding back on their demands, and quite frankly, why should they? They're calling for nothing less than the immediate arrest of V.B.G. Ram G. Furthermore, they insist that stringent legal action be taken against the District Collector for what they perceive as negligence and potentially enabling this alleged illegal transaction. Crucially, their overarching demand is the restoration of the acquired Panchami land to its original, intended beneficiaries, coupled with fair and adequate compensation for all who have suffered due to this alleged injustice.

Led by figures like M. Marimuthu, the state general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, these farmers are making it unequivocally clear that they will not back down. This isn't merely a local dispute; it's a stark reminder of the ongoing battles for land rights and social justice faced by agricultural communities across the region. Their protest in Krishnagiri serves as a powerful testament to their unwavering determination to see justice served and to ensure their voices, and their land, are respected.