The main reasons for the villagers’ opposition are that 3,300 acres identified for the project in Halligudi village off National Highway 63, about 500km from Bangalore, are fertile land and agriculture is the villagers’ only source of income. KIADB special land acquisition officer Mahantesh Bilgi said notices have been served on 536 farmers who own over 3,382 acres. About half of them have filed objections.
Y N Goudar, former chairman, Sheep and Wool Development Corporation, is heading the Bhoo Swadheena Prakriye Virodhi Samiti, a committee against land acquisition. He told The Times of India: "Posco is a matter of life and death for the villagers."
The Samiti leader said ever since KIADB issued notices to them, people have become very apprehensive because they know nothing other than agriculture. The Samiti, which held its first round of agitation in Mundargi, plans to intensify it in the near future with a protest in front of the Gadag deputy commissioner’s office next month, followed by a march to Bangalore.