Farmers from KriNamathu Nilam Namadhe Farmers

Hundreds of farmers belonging to the “Namathu Nilam Namadhe Farmers Welfare Association” from Krishnagiri district were arrested by the police when they attempted to submit petitions at major political party offices in Chennai. The farmers had come to highlight the urgent need to protect agricultural lands and to draw attention to the severe consequences of converting fertile farmlands for non-agricultural purposes. Farmers from twelve revenue villages in Hosur Taluk expressed serious concern over the proposed acquisition of fertile agricultural lands for the development of the Hosur Greenfield International Airport and the proposed Knowledge Corridor. According to the farmers, nearly 39,000 acres of fertile agricultural land in the Hosur region are reportedly being considered for acquisition for large infrastructure and industrial projects by the State Government. This move is likely to affect around 50,000 farming families who depend on these lands for their livelihood. In a press statement, the State President of the association, Mr. Kumara Ravikumar, said that the proposed land acquisition for the Hosur Greenfield Airport is expected to affect several revenue villages including Mudali, Balavanapalli, Pethamudali, and Athavanapalli, among others. He further noted that villages such as Dasappalanatham (Dasappalli), Karuppalli, Nandimangalam, Soodakondapalli, Venkatesapuram, Miduthepalli, Mudali, Attur, and Alanatham, along with several surrounding hamlets, are also likely to be impacted by the proposed projects. “These fertile farmlands have sustained farming families like ours for generations, and agriculture remains our only source of livelihood. While extending our full cooperation to the Government, we have respectfully urged that these fertile agricultural lands be excluded from large industrial and infrastructure projects that have no direct relation to agriculture, including the proposed International Airport, Knowledge Corridor, SIPCOT industrial developments, and Special Economic Zones. Even if it costs us our lives, we will not give up our farmlands. We stand united and determined in protecting our lands. We remain hopeful that a government entrusted with safeguarding rural communities and their future will take a balanced and thoughtful decision that supports development without destroying the livelihoods of farmers,” he added. Several key members of the association, including Mr. Nagaraju Gowda, Mr. V. Narayanasamy, Mr. Durga Prakash, and Mr. Murugan, were also present in Chennai today (March 9, 2026) along with the farmers.