Accusing the officials of Special Land Acquisition Office of KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board) in Dharwad of demanding bribe and unnecessarily delaying the payment of compensation, several farmers staged a sit in before the office in Dharwad on Friday.The protest was staged under the aegis of Janjagruti Sangha, which demanded action against the officials of the KIADB.Leading the protest, president of Janajagruti Sangha, Basavaraj Korawar said that 2,170 acres of land had been acquired from farmers of Kallapur, Hosawal, Venkatapur, Kummanayakanakoppa, Madikoppa, Shinganahalli, and Kotur villages of Dharwad taluk to develop an industrial area under the BMIC project.However the farmers who had parted with their lands were being made to run from pillar to post and also 5% commission was being demanded to release the compensation. This apart, ₹30,000 was being demanded to issue the registration exemption certificate. And those who refused to pay were being abused and humiliated by the staff, he alleged.The protesting farmers demanded immediate transfer of corrupt officials and staff and urged the senior officials to ensure a transparent system to facilitate immediate disbursement of compensation to the farmers. They also warned of intensifying the agitation if no remedial steps were taken. Basavaraj Savalagi, Rakesh Ramanagoudar, Bhimappa Madar, Manjunath Patil, Yallappa Angadi of the Sangha and others took part in the agitation.Published - October 10, 2025 08:28 pm IST