No land for acquisition, Shoolagiri farmers tell the DRO-incharge in Krishnagiri

The Hindu

24-07-2025

It was charged atmosphere at a public hearing called by the land acquisition section for SIPCOT in Krishnagiri, as farmers of Shoolagiri villages came in strength to record their objections to the land-acquisition notices issued, on Thursday (July 24, 2025).
Earlier, this week, farmers of Nallaganagothappli and surrounding villages were issued notices with a price quote of ₹41 lakh per acre as land price for a proposed acquisition for SIPCOT by the government. The notice issued by the District Revenue Officer (DRO)-land acquisition called upon the farmers, whose survey numbers were listed for acquisition, to be present for 'direct talks' on the transaction.
Outraged farmers arrived at the DRO's office to record their objections for land acquisition and also seeking a 'permanent guarantee' against these threats. The common refrain among farmers was, many farmers had already given their lands, and yet were once again called to give up parcels of land left.
According to farmers, since 2016, notices were being issued to farmers, on and off. 'We were first issued notices for SIPCOT IV in 2016, and amid large scale protests, the then Collector assured that areas that fall under the Kelavarapalli left main canal watershed will not be acquired. However, every now and then there is an acquisition scare,' says Ashwathnarayanan a farmer.
According to Mr. Ashwathnarayanan, 1,100 acres were already acquired and lands were ceded for road formation. Now, the areas that were issued notices for acquisition fall under the Kelavarapalli left main canal watershed. Farmers of Naalaganagothapalli, Gurubarathapalli, Koneripalli, and Gundukurukki were issued notices to acquire over 250 acres.
On Thursday, a group of marginal landholders vocalised their anger to the DRO incharge. Some of the families had already resettled in the earlier acquisition, initially for SIPCOT and later for canal construction. The three families, who have now become 15 are once again issued notices to handover their lands, says K. Subramani, Coordinator, Tamizhava Vaisayigal Paadhukapu Sangam. 'Where will farmers go, when these are the only marginal holdings they have?' he added.
There is no rehabilitation or resettlement, says Mr. Subramani. These are cropped areas that grow mint, cabbage, flowers, and vegetables. Addressing the DRO, Mr. Subramani said, the livelihood of those landowners whose lands are sought after for industry depended on those very lands. 'They carry their produce everyday to the market to sell and live off the sale proceeds.'
Mr. Ashwathnarayanan, who is also anticipating a notice soon says, there were already fallow lands as part of private real estate group's landbank that is just off the highway. 'Why are they not approaching these lands, but coming into the villages and offering a price that would not last,' he questions.
Later, Poongothai, DRO-incharge for land-acquisition informed the landowners that 'their stand will be communicated to the Collector.'