Mysuru, March 2 (NationPress) H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, announced on Monday that the Central government has implemented all necessary actions to facilitate the safe return of Kannadigas who are currently stranded in the Gulf region amidst rising tensions.

In a press conference held in Mysuru, Kumaraswamy stated that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has successfully evacuated Indians during previous crises and is committed to doing so again. He emphasized that all efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of those affected, and the Prime Minister has already begun taking action in this matter.

Kumaraswamy mentioned that he has personally reached out to the Kannadigas caught in various Gulf nations, including Dubai, where the situation has become increasingly tense. He reassured the public that all individuals are safe and will return without any issues, urging them to remain calm and not to panic.

Additionally, as the Member of Parliament for Mandya, Kumaraswamy called on the Karnataka government to retract its decision to include certain villages—Gejjalagere, Goravanahalli, Chamanahalli, and Somanahalli—within the Maddur Town Municipal Council's jurisdiction. He argued that this decision was made against the local residents' wishes.

In his letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy expressed concern that the Cabinet's decision to merge these gram panchayats with the Maddur Town Municipal Council was made without adequately considering public sentiment. He urged the state leadership to respect the people's will and intervene to reverse this decision.

In his correspondence, the Union Minister highlighted that villagers, along with panchayat members and farmer leader Sunanda Jayaram, have formally opposed the move. He noted that they have been protesting indefinitely for the last 70 days, during which he visited the protest site to listen to their concerns. A copy of the representation from Sunanda Jayaram was also attached to his letter.

Kumaraswamy stressed that these villages should never be absorbed into the Maddur Town Municipal Council and pointed out that there is a unanimous demand to reverse what he termed an anti-people decision. He asserted that honoring the desires of local residents would be more appropriate.

The Union Minister highlighted that the communities in question are heavily reliant on agriculture, with over 2,000 acres of irrigated land where farmers cultivate crops such as paddy, sugarcane, flowers, vegetables, and more. Many locals are also involved in dairy farming and animal husbandry, with the Mandya District Milk Producers’ Union (Manmul) operating in Gejjalagere.

Kumaraswamy reminded the Chief Minister that the residents in these villages have access to government hospitals, educational institutions, and other essential infrastructure.

He further alleged that the decision to merge the villages into the Maddur Town Municipal Council was made without prior consultation with farmers and residents, and without convening a Gram Sabha. Locals have claimed that the decision was unilaterally made by certain Gram Panchayat presidents and select members, disregarding the majority and violating the provisions of the Gram Panchayat Act.

Moreover, it was mentioned that villagers, farmers, and concerned citizens have filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Karnataka High Court to contest this decision.