Gadchiroli March 30 (District Correspondent) ‘Under no circumstances will we allow the fertile agricultural lands of this district to be acquired. We will employ every necessary democratic means to achieve this objective.’
This was the unanimous resolution that was passed in a grand meet of the farmers from the villages affected by land acquisition was organized at village Shivani on Sunday.
A large number of farmers from various villages across the district attended this meet and unanimously resolved to express their firm determination to oppose the forcible land acquisition.
Under the pretext of transforming Gadchiroli district into a ‘Steel Hub,’ efforts are currently underway to acquire the fertile lands of local farmers, thereby rendering them landless. Despite repeated opposition, the government continues to attempt to implement the land acquisition process through various means, leading to intense resentment among the farming community, said the farmers in the resolution.
Previously, agricultural lands in the Konsari and Jayrampur areas of Chamorshi taluka were acquired. Subsequently, an attempt was made to acquire fertile land across 14 villages in the Bhendala region in Chamorshi taluka. Despite strong resistance from local farmers, reports are now emerging that land acquisition is once again slated to take place in approximately 30 to 35 villages across the Chamorshi and Gadchiroli talukas. This has created an atmosphere of confusion and fear among the farmers. On this background this meet was organized.
District Congress President Mahendra Brahmanwade presided over the meet. Mr. Manohar Poretti, former ZP vice president, Wamanrao Sawsakde, farmers wing chief of congress, Shankarrao Salotkar, Vasant Raut, Pramod Bhagat, Satish Vidhate, senior activists were prominently present.
He stated that the government is implementing the land acquisition process—while keeping the district’s farmers in the dark—solely to benefit industrialists. He urged the farmers to remain vigilant. “The farmer is the backbone of the country. If agriculture survives, the farmer survives; and if the farmer survives, the country survives. Therefore, the Congress party will stand firmly behind the farmers of this district to safeguard their interests, he promised.
Mr. Anup Kohle conducted the programme that was largely attended by the farmers of Shioni and nearby villages.
