Medha Patkar joins project protesters in Bangalore

"The land-grabbing (by project promoters Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd) is unjustifiable", the Chief of National Alliance of Peoples' Movements, said at a public meeting at the Freedom Park here.

Giving an example, she said 200 acres had been acquired in a village for a peripheral road, when the need was actually 19 acres.

"If this is not stopped, all these roads will be occupied by the people", she warned.

The campaign was supported by several organisations including Dalita Sangharsha Samiti, Environment Support Group, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Samata Sainik Dal and Karnataka Pranthya Raitha Sangha, the organisers said.

The protesters demanded immediate identification and publishing of the lands required for the project and dropping of acquisition proceedings in respect of lands falling outside the scope of the project.

They also pushed for immediate recovery of public property from NICE which is falling outside the scope of the project, and declaration of Peripheral Road and Link Road "illegally" constructed by NICE as a toll-free public amenity.

The campaigners sought investigation and prosecution of "corrupt ministers, bureaucrats & industry leaders" associated with the project and dropping of false cases against displaced persons and payment of compensation to displaced persons for illegal demolitions and malicious prosecutions.