Hundreds of farmers took out a march protesting the year-long delay in addressing their opposition for inclusion of eight villages into the jurisdiction of Byndoor Town Panchayat on Friday, in Byndoor, Udupi district.

Farmers, women and children participated in the protest march led by farmer leader Deepak Kumar Shetty in collaboration with various organisations. The protest march, which started from Seneshwara Temple in the town, proceeded to Praja Soudha housing the taluk office.

The inclusion of villages under the Town Panchayat jurisdiction will cause innumerable problems for rural people. Therefore, the protesters demanded that eight villages, including villages under the Nada Gram Panchayat, be excluded from the TP jurisdiction.

Expressing anger that despite protesting at various levels for the past year, there has been no permanent solution to the problem, the farmers waved green flags and shouted slogans. Later, they blocked the road and demanded that the Deputy Commissioner come to the spot.

Protestors said, “We have been fighting for a year. Today’s protest has reached a critical stage. If a final decision is not taken today to remove the villages from the town panchayat jurisdiction, the struggle will be intensified further.”

Additional Deputy Commissioner Abid Gadyal, who arrived at the Praja Soudha, received the representation from protesting farmers. The officer said the district administration was working towards addressing their concerns and a solution would be given soon.

Published - August 07, 2026 07:37 pm IST