BELAGAVI: A picture of members of a farming family standing on chairs with their necks in nooses, has been shared several times on social media. The picture was taken during a symbolic protest against the acquisition of the land for a housing project.

Belagavi Urban Development Authority (BUDA) plans to acquire 160 acres land in Kanabargi, on the outskirts of city, for its scheme No 61. Farmers owning 106 acres have agreed to part with their land, but those owning the remaining 54 acres have approached court and secured a stay.

Court proceedings are in the last stage and there is a chance the court may vacate the stay since it’s a public project. Farmers opposing the project are now panicky. On Thursday, the family of Maruti Ningappa Sulagepatil of Kanabargi held a symbolic protest with members standing with their heads in nooses. They have threatened to commit mass suicide if their land is taken away from them. This family owns 1 acre 38 guntas in the area.

Sulagepatil said his family cultivates silk, besides coconut trees,

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and chikoo trees. They get three crops a year. There is also a well on the land and the family supplies water to the city through two tankers.

“Although our family is big and expenses are high, we manage our financial needs by cultivating commercial crops,” Maruti told TOI. “We are happy. We have been tilling this land since the time of my grandfather and have a sentimental attachment with the soil.”

Preetam Nasalapure, BUDA commissioner, said compensation for land acquired for the scheme are according to norms and most farmers have agreed to part with land.

“The scheme has also got cabinet approval,” he said. “All legal procedures have been followed. At this stage, farmers may get compensation in cash or 50% share of developed land. Some opposition is common while embarking public projects,” he said.