Raichur farmers launch indefinite protest against Hutti gold mines over land rights dispute

New Delhi: Farmers in Karnataka’s Raichur district have staged an indefinite protest against Hutti Gold Mines Limited (HGML), demanding justice over a long-pending land rights dispute. The agitation is being led by the Hutti Land Rights Deprived Farmers’ Struggle Committee outside the main entrance of the Hutti Gold Mines in Hutti town of Lingasugur taluk.

The protesting farmers alleged that the mining company had leased a total of 1,305 acres of land in the Hutti-Kotha border area for mining expansion. Of this, only 915 acres were officially acquired, with affected landowners receiving compensation and employment benefits.

However, the remaining 390 acres were neither acquired nor compensated, the farmers claimed. Despite this, HGML’s name was allegedly entered into the Encumbrance Certificate (EC) records of the land without the knowledge or consent of the landowners.

As a result, farmers say they have been unable to obtain crop loans or other financial assistance from banks for years. They also claim they cannot sell their land or access government compensation schemes, leaving them in severe financial distress.

The issue has remained unresolved for the past 18 years, prompting farmers to launch an indefinite protest. They have demanded that the company either remove HGML’s name from their land records immediately or formally acquire the remaining land and provide adequate compensation.

The protesters have warned that they will continue their agitation until their demands are met.