Gadchiroli May 3 (District Correspondent) ‘Sheti Bachao Sangharsh Samiti’, a farmer’s body has started agitation against the acquisition of the agricultural land from 6 villages near Gadchiroli for the proposed airport.
Mr. Sharad Patil Bramhanwade, President of the Samiti has launched indefinite hunger strike in a farm near village Murkhada (Chak) on behalf of the farmers to oppose the land acquisition along with hundreds of affected farmers rallying behind him.
The Special Land Acquisition Officer and Sub divisional Officer of Gadchiroli issued public notice on April 2 last declaring the acquisition of 201 hectares of land from six villages-Murkhada, Nawegaon, Mudza Buzruk), Mudza (Tukyum), Kaneri and Pulkhal for the airport.
All the affected farmers however took their objections to this acquisition saying their land is quite fertile and the only source of their income and livelihood. They requested the district administration and the government to immediately cancel this acquisition.
The administration took no any cognizance of the farmers objection hence the farmers resorted to the agitation through the Sheti Bachao Sangarsha Samiti which was formed by all the 352 farmers from six villages. Accordingly, at least five farmers are observing chain hunger strike daily for the last six days, informed Mr. Bramhanwade.
Not only this, the gram sabhas of all the six villages also opposed the acquisition by passing unanimous resolutions in their special meetings and submitted them to the district collector but the administration has not taken any cognizance of this agitation and going ahead with its plan of land acquisition, told Bramhanwade.
We have sent memorandums to the concerned authorities urging them to cancel the land acquisition but there has been no any response. That is why we had to launch this agitation which will be intensified further, he warned.
Mr. Yogesh sonule, Sudhakar Gadpalliwar, Chandrakala Mandade, Umaji Khewle, Rajubhau Khangar and many other farmers were present at the press conference.
