A sandalwood farmer named T.N. Vishu Kumar from Chikkamagaluru cut branches of a sandalwood tree near Vidhana Soudha on February 10. He wanted to protest against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The NHAI started clearing sandalwood trees on his farm on February 9. This land in Haliyur village was acquired for National Highway 206 between Shivamogga and Tumakuru. Officials from NHAI arrived with workers on February 9 to cut the trees. Mr. Kumar protested then and, the next day, cut branches near Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. The police detained him and took away his machete. Earlier, Mr. Kumar had threatened to end his life as a protest. A senior police officer said Mr. Kumar will be charged under the Karnataka Forest Act for cutting the branches. Mr. Kumar told The Hindu, "They have killed my trees, which I have guarded for 14 years. When they can sever my trees, why shouldn’t I?" He said NHAI planned to cut 2,148 trees on his farm. He claimed they cut 42 trees on February 9 and cut branches of over 100 more trees on February 10 without informing him. He said NHAI offered ₹1.25 crore in compensation, but the trees are worth over ₹100 crore. "They are not compensating me fairly. I will not leave Bengaluru until I get justice," he said. NHAI said land acquisition started with a notification in 2016 and finished with a final notice in 2017. Compensation was given at different stages. However, farmers, including Mr. Kumar, went to court seeking higher payments. Special Land Acquisition Officer Siddalinga Reddy said the court fixed tree compensation at ₹25,908 each. "For four acres acquired, we have granted ₹3.25 crore. Farmers received ₹1.08 crore so far. Others refused to accept money and submitted records. The remaining amount is with Chikkamagaluru district court," he said. Assistant Commissioner N.V. Natesh said cutting started on February 9 and will continue for days as per court orders. Karnataka faces high sandalwood demand but only produces 30% locally; rest is imported. Officials say farmers hesitate to grow sandalwood due to theft risks. (If in distress, call helplines like KIRAN at 1800-599-0019 or Arogya Sahayavani at 104.)