Hosapete (Vijayanagara): Retired Justice N Santosh Hegde stressed the need to establish a sugar factory near the city, citing the number of sugarcane cultivators in the region.
On Wednesday, he inaugurated a farmers' protest march that commenced from the Virupakshwara Temple in Hampi towards Hosapete. The demonstration, organised by All Karnataka State Kisan Jagruti Sangha, aimed to press various agricultural concerns.
Justice Hegde expressed his complete support for the farmers' demands, including the construction of a sugar factory and the allocation of land to Bagar Hukum cultivators.
The march witnessed participation from Mallikarjuna Swamiji of Mariyammanahalli, Oppatteswara Niranjan Swamiji of Garaga Nagalapura, and representatives from various organisations, including the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.
Despite the sweltering 40 degrees Celsius, many farmers travelled through Hampi, Kamalapura, Kaddirampura Cross, Galemmagudi, Malapanagudi, Kondanayakanahalli, and Ananthashayanagudi.
The procession reached the city around 3pm. SA Khadri, vice-president of the Akhila Karnataka State Kisan Jagruti Sangh, suffered a sunstroke after walking 18km and collapsed at Puneeth Rajkumar Circle, necessitating his immediate hospitalisation.
Following the march, a farmers' conference was convened at the Ambedkar Circle.
