PERNEM: The situation turned tensed at Tulaskarwadi Nagzar when Government officials reached Tulaskarwadi to conduct demarcation of land for the proposed link road and found farmers present at the site protesting against the link road.
For the second day, the farmers of Tulaskarwadi, Dadachiwadi, Nanachepani, Nagzar, Sukekolan, Dhargal and others areas protested objecting to demarcation of land for the proposed link road.
During this protest, a female farmer fell unconscious and was later shifted to nearby health centre.
“We want to preserve our agricultural land for the next generation since it is the only source of our livelihood. We will not allow the government to bulldoze their way through our land. We will not step back from the agitation even if we die,” claimed the protesting farmers.
The process of demarcation of land is under way with police protection for more than a week now.
During the protest held on Tuesday, the police gheraoed the farmers when a lady protester fell unconscious. Later the farmers dialled 108 and shifted the lady to a nearby hospital for treatment. This incident caused tension among the protestors.
One Ramakant Tulaskar was detained and later released by Pernem police.
“Almost one crore sq mt land is acquired by the government for the Mopa airport and related projects and this land is agricultural land having plantations,” protestors claimed.
Farmers informed Herald that on Monday the officers bypassed the area where the farmers were protesting and went forward for demarcation.
“We don’t want government jobs but only want our land. Government bought land for the Airport for peanuts. Now if the government wants our lands, they should bulldoze us and take our lands. We will not give lands as long as we are alive,” said another protestor.
“We gave our land for the Mopa airport but we didn’t know that government is planning to take away all our land for commercial purpose by taking away our livelihood”, the farmers claimed.
