After talks with CM fail, farmers to march again to Mumbai

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, February 18

Nearly 80,000 farmers are set to march to Mumbai on Wednesday after last minute attempts by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday failed.

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) said it has mobilised nearly 80,000 farmers from different parts of Maharashtra who will begin marching towards Mumbai from Wednesday. They are expected to reach the city by February 27 and gather near Mantralaya, the state secretariat where the budget session of the assembly will be in progress.

According to Ashok Dhawale, president, AIKS the farmers need immediate drought relief, complete farm loan waiver and minimum support price for agricultural products at one-and-a-half times the cost of production as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.

The farmers' outfit said the Maharashtra government had failed to fulfil promises made during their 'long march' to Mumbai two years ago.

AIKS leaders said farmers from tribal communities will join the march this time as the government failed to recognise the rights of forest-dwellers who have been traditionally cultivating forest land.

Dr Ajit Navale, General Secretary, AIKS further alleged that tribals who submitted original documents to prove their residence in forest areas have been told that their papers have gone missing from government offices.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to crack down on farmers' groups in different parts of the state which have been mobilising people for the “long march”. AIKS alleged that district officials have filed police cases against those who have organised farmers' conventions in
Ahmednagar district. Dr Navale alleged that the government was crushing democratic means of protests by these methods.