Sogane residents to stage protest in front of Shivamogga Airport

The residents of Sogane and neighbouring villages in Shivamogga taluk have decided to stage a protest in front of Shivamogga Airport on October 9, 2025, opposing the delay in distribution of sites to people who gave up their lands for the airport project.

In a press conference in Shivamogga on Tuesday (October 7, 2025), M.B. Krishnappa, president of Sogane Bhoomi Hakku Raithara Horata Samiti, a forum of farmers fighting for rights over their land at Sogane, said that the State Government had agreed to allot a site measuring 2,400 sqft (60/40 sqft) as part of the compensation for the people, who had parted with their land for the airport.

Land developed but not allotted

To fulfil the promise, the State Government had acquired 34 acres and nine guntas of land at Sogane village and had it developed by the Karnataka Housing Board. However, the government had not allotted the sites to the land losers. “We staged a protest at the time of inauguration of the airport in 2023 and demanded that the government allot the sites. The government assured us sites. But it has remained unfulfilled. We also moved court, where we got favourable orders. However, the government is delaying implementing the orders,” Mr. Krishnappa said.

Recently, a meeting was held with the Minister for Housing Zameer Ahmed Khan in Bengaluru, in the presence of Madhu Bangarappa, Minister for School Education and also in-charge of Shivamogga district. “The ministers and the officers who attended the meeting promised that sites would be allotted within 10 days. However, it has been a month since the meeting. We will stage a protest opposing the delay. If the government does not fulfil the demand, we will intensify the protest”, added Mr. Krishnappa.

A few other farmers were present at the press conference.