Bengaluru, July 14 -- Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo HD Deve Gowda has written to Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, urging the state government to immediately halt land acquisition proceedings for the proposed Bidadi Township project in Ramanagara district, citing concerns over clashes between farmers and officials during a land survey.

In a letter, Deve Gowda expressed "deep concern" over the reported confrontation between farmers and government officials during a Joint Measurement Survey (JMC) conducted at Mandalhalli village on July 13. He alleged that farmers were being "intimidated" and FIRs were being registered against those opposing the survey.

Deve Gowda said farmers from Bidadi, Kengeri and nearby...