Villagers Protest Against Power Line Work Damaging Farmland in Thenkamijaru

Mangalore Today News Network

Moodbidri, Oct 26, 2025: Villagers of Thenkamijaru near Moodbidri staged a protest against the Udupi–Kasaragod Transmission Company Ltd. (UKTL), alleging that the company damaged agricultural land without prior notice during the construction of a 440 kV power transmission line between Udupi and Kasaragod.

The protest, held on the farmland of Bhaskar Shetty, one of the affected farmers, was organized jointly with the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh. Protesters accused the company of “high-handedness” and criticized the government for failing to protect farmers’ interests.

Addressing the gathering, former district president of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Shanti Prasad, said that incidents of injustice against farmers in the Moodbidri region have become frequent. He said several “anti-farmer” projects, including highway expansion and power line works, have severely affected agricultural livelihoods.

“The transmission line passes through nine villages in the taluk, but no prior notice or compensation has been given to the affected farmers,” he said, naming those impacted — including Bhaskar Shetty, Sanjeeva Gowda, Rajesh Bhandari, Mizarguthu Praveen Rai, John Rebello, and Jesintha.

He urged the government to address the farmers’ concerns immediately and warned of a large-scale protest involving thousands of farmers if the issue remains unresolved.

Farmer Bhaskar Shetty alleged that the company, with police support, had forcibly occupied his fertile land without any official authorization. “There is no order permitting the destruction of farmland for tower construction, yet the company is using police pressure to seize our land and force us to sign documents,” he said, demanding that agricultural land not be acquired for the project under any circumstances.

Former Thenkamijaru Gram Panchayat president Balakrishna Devadiga, members Vidyananda Mizaru and Dota Suresh Shetty, and several villagers including Vasanth Bhat, Iruvail Doddaguthu Dinesh Shetty, John Rebello, and Jesintha participated in the protest.