The controversy erupted when Sterlite Power, the contractor for the project, began clearing land in a private field by uprooting trees using JCB machines. The company was operating under police protection but had not obtained prior approval from the Forest Department or informed local farmers about the project.

Upon learning of the work, members of the 400 kV Affected Farmers Struggle Committee rushed to the site, accusing authorities and the contractor of bypassing consultation with the local community. "We will not allow this power line to pass through our land," said Oswald Prakash Fernandes, district president of the Farmers’ Union, emphasising the importance of preserving the land for future generations.

Farmers demand transparency and dialogue

Farmers criticised the lack of a formal meeting or information from officials about the project. "We inherited this land from our ancestors, and it is our responsibility to protect it," added Fernandes. Other protesters, including Benedict Carlo and Arun D'Souza, joined in the call for accountability, demanding a proper discussion before any work resumed.

Official intervention: Work to continue under strict supervision

Despite efforts by Bantwal Assistant Commissioner Harshavardhan and Tahsildar Archana D Bhat to mediate and reassure the farmers, the protestors remained steadfast. The district administration emphasised that the 400 kV transmission line was a central government project, and the work had already been delayed.

Harshavardhan urged the farmers to allow construction to continue in designated areas, offering the option of pursuing legal action if they wished to contest the project.

With the intervention of senior officials, the protest was temporarily defused, but the farmers’ concerns about land rights and environmental impact remain unresolved. A team of officials from Delhi, overseeing the project, also visited the site to monitor progress.

The protest highlights the ongoing tension between infrastructure development and local communities’ rights, as farmers continue to demand greater involvement in decisions affecting their land and livelihoods.