“We have agreed to almost all of their demands. We also agreed to set up a committee to look into the matter of forest land allocation given that they submit a proof of pre-2005 land cultivation,” said Fadnavis.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accepted all the demands of protesting farmers on Monday. The farmers who were protesting at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai in the last phase of their six-day march were demanding the right to till the forest lands, loan waiver and implementation of swaminathan committee recommendations.
The Kisan Long March that began from CBS Chowk in Nashik covered 180 kms in six days. As much as 40000 farmers marched in scorching heat many barefooted walking 35 km per day. The march reached Somaiyya ground in Sion on Sunday. However, to avoid any traffic snags for Mumbaikars, the farmers marched till Azad Maidan overnight.
Solar Panel used for charging mobile phones at Farmers Long March. #FarmersMarchtoMumbai pic.twitter.com/no94c8A2Cg
— HW News Hindi (@hwnewsnetwork) March 12, 2018
At 2 PM, the delegation of farmers met CM Fadnavis to convey their demands. After the meeting that lasted for three hours, Fadnavis told the reporters outside the assembly that most of the demands by farmers have been accepted by the government. The Chief minister also promised to set up a committee to transfer forest land used for farming, to tribals and farmers. “We have agreed to almost all of their demands. We also agreed to set up a committee to look into the matter of forest land allocation given that they submit a proof of pre-2005 land cultivation,” said Fadnavis.
The farmers were also agitating against the river linking ptoject that would link rivers in Nashik, Thane and Palghar as it would mean their Tribal lands will be submerged. The farmers also opposed state government’s land acquisition for high-speed railway and super highways projects.
वनजमींन कानून याने फारेस्ट एक्ट पर अमल किया जाएगा।6 महीने में तमाम मामलों को निपटाया जायेगा। पिछड़े समाज को फायदा होगा।
— HW News Hindi (@hwnewsnetwork) March 12, 2018
The Kisan Long March was organized by CPIM affiliated All India Kisan Sabha. Many state CPIM leaders including Ashok Dhawle, MLA Gavit were present during the march. Agriculture Minister Girish Mahajan too accompanied the farmers as they marched till Azad Maidan.
After their demands were accepted, rhe protest was called off. The central railway announced two special trains from Mumbai to Bhusaval to ferry the farmers back to Nashik.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
