K'taka Cong fact finding committee demands apology from CM

Bangalore, July 3 (UNI) The Karnataka Pradesh Congress' fact finding committee, headed by former minister Kagodu Thimmappa, to study large scale acquisition of land by the Government to create SEZs and new townships around the city, today demanded an apology from Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for his remarks against the comittee members.

Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Thimmappa took exception to certain remarks made by the Chief Minister against some of the members and demanded that he should either withdraw the same or seek public apology.

He dared the Chief Minister to substantiate his charges that some members had indulged in land grabbing and refer the issue to any kind of probe by any agency, including the Central Bureau of Investigation. Otherwise, he should apologise for having made 'character assassination,' he demanded.

He said it was only a fact finding committee and had nothing to do with politics. The report would be prepared this week. The committee members visited various villages, including Nandagudi, Ramanagara Bidadi and Sathnur, during the last two days and spoke to villagers. Nearly 90 per cent of them were small land holders and they did not want to part with their lands, he observed.

Mr Thimmappa alleged that the Government had thrown all norms to the winds to acquire land from farmers. If need be, the committee would attract the attention of the Centre with regard to flouting of guidelines prescribed for creation of SEZ, he added.

UNI