Farmers’ March Enters Thane, Mumbai On Alert
Mumbai: Mumbai is gearing up for another massive rally as thousands of farmers and tribals march towards the state capital from Nashik demanding land rights.
Carrying red flags and led by the CPI(M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), protesters began the ‘long march’ on Sunday following the agitation outside the Dindori tehsil office in Nashik district. Unable to get assurances from the authorities, they decided to walk to Mumbai on foot and convey their demands to the state government.
The rally, which started under the leadership of CPI(M) and Kisan Sabha, continued for the last two days and entered Thane district on Tuesday. They were joined by MLA Vinod Nikole from Thane-Palghar districts, Kiran Gahala, Radka Kalangada, Chandrakant Ghorkhana and leaders of other activists.
Former MLA JP Gavit said that the delegation comprising himself, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and AIKS national president Ashok Dhawale, Kisan Sabha national joint secretary Ajit Navale and MLA Vinod Nikole will hold talks with the chief minister and other concerned ministers.
“Tribal farmers from Peth, Surgana, Kalwan and Trimbakeshwar talukas are joining the agitation to draw attention to unresolved issues related to land rights, irrigation and forest claims,” he said.
These areas are prone to drought, and farmers are demanding the construction of large dams on westward-flowing rivers and their tributaries to provide irrigation water for local agriculture.
Gavit said the protesters also want the regulation of cultivation on occupied land of up to four hectares, the regulation of land registration, the re-examination of rejected forest rights claims and the purchase of agricultural products from forest land owners at minimum support prices.
In August last year, Mumbai came to a standstill when thousands of protesters, led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil, gathered at Azad Maidan, demanding that the Maratha community be included in the Other Backward Classes. The protests also affected vehicular movement in Mumbai, causing traffic disruptions across the city.
