Airport – Farmers Protest Land Acquisition Linked to Hosur Airport Project
Airport – A group of farmers from Hosur and nearby villages were detained by police in Chennai on Monday evening when they attempted to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to submit a petition opposing the proposed Hosur Greenfield International Airport and Knowledge Corridor projects. The arrests sparked further protests in Hosur, where more than 150 people gathered to demonstrate against the planned land acquisition.
Farmers Attempt to Submit Petition in Chennai
According to representatives of the Satellite Town Ring Road Farmers Association, several farmers travelled to Chennai hoping to meet the chief minister and voice their concerns regarding the proposed projects. However, permission to meet him was reportedly denied, leading to tension near the ruling party office.
V Munivenkatappa, the association’s president and a resident of Marachandiram village, said the government’s plan to acquire large tracts of land has created serious anxiety among local farmers. He explained that the Krishnagiri district administration is preparing to acquire more than 10,000 acres of land for the airport and the Knowledge Corridor, much of which currently consists of fertile agricultural fields.
Munivenkatappa added that around 40 farmers from Hosur and surrounding areas had travelled to the state capital to raise the issue directly with the chief minister. However, police detained a total of 67 farmers after they attempted to enter the party office to hand over their petition.
Concerns Over Loss of Agricultural Land
Farmers say the planned acquisition could significantly affect their livelihoods. Many families in the region rely entirely on agriculture, and losing their land could disrupt long-standing farming activities in the area.
Munivenkatappa said that several farmers have already lost land to previous infrastructure projects. He pointed out that he had already given up two acres for the Satellite Town Ring Road project and now faces the possibility of losing another 13 acres if the Knowledge Corridor project proceeds as planned.
Farmers have repeatedly expressed concern that the acquisition process may affect productive farmland and reduce agricultural output in the region. They argue that alternative locations for development projects should be explored to protect farming communities.
Police Say Detentions Were Preventive
Police officials in Krishnagiri district said the detentions were carried out as a precautionary step to prevent disruptions. According to police sources, several farmers attempted to enter the party office premises without prior permission, prompting authorities to intervene.
Officials stated that a small delegation of fewer than five farmers was allowed to go inside to represent the group, while others were temporarily detained outside the premises. Police also indicated that those taken into custody would be released.
Authorities emphasized that the action was meant to maintain order and prevent large gatherings from escalating into confrontations.
Political Reactions to the Incident
The arrests quickly drew political attention. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami criticized the government’s handling of the situation and expressed support for the protesting farmers.
Palaniswami said that before the 2021 elections, MK Stalin had actively met members of the public and collected petitions regarding various issues. He questioned why the chief minister was now unwilling to meet farmers seeking to present their concerns about land acquisition.
Opposition leaders have called for dialogue between the government and farmer representatives to address the issue and prevent further tensions.
Local Demonstration in Hosur
Following news of the arrests in Chennai, more than 150 people gathered in Hosur to stage a protest demanding the release of the detained farmers and urging the government to reconsider its plans.
Participants in the demonstration reiterated that farmland should not be taken for development projects without adequate consultation and safeguards for affected families. Farmer groups said they would continue their protests if their concerns were not addressed.
As discussions over the proposed airport and infrastructure corridor continue, the situation has highlighted the broader challenge of balancing large-scale development plans with the interests of local farming communities.