Farmers opposing Shaktipeeth Expressway will burn land survey notices across 78 affected villages in Kolhapur district on Sept 3 and march to District Collectorate on Sept 7, Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti members said A meeting of farmers and samiti members at Govt Rest House in Kolhapur on Thursday evening.
Kolhapur : Farmers opposing the Shaktipeeth Expressway have announced a series of protests, starting with the burning of land acquisition and survey notices across 78 affected villages in Kolhapur district on Sept 3. This will be followed by a march to the district collectorate on Sept 7, members of the Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti announced on Thursday. Farmers from all 78 villages are also set to gather at Hasur Dumala on Sept 9 to oppose the land survey scheduled to take place in Karvir taluka from Sept 9 to Sept 22. He alleged that the project involves corruption to the tune of Rs50,000 crore to Rs60,000 crore. Farmers in Karvir taluka have already received notices to remain present for surveys starting Sept 9 in several villages, including Hasur Dumala, Bhatanwadi, Sadoli, Shiroli, Ganeshwadi, Kasba Beed, Bahireshwar, Kuditre, Wakare, Khupire, Shindewadi, Padali, Varange, Kerli, and Kerle. Shetti further alleged that the Sangli district administration had conducted a survey in Bhagyanagar village at 3.30 am under heavy police protection. “The village has a population of 700, yet 400 police personnel were deployed. Girish Phonde, the state coordinator for the samiti, noted that thousands of farmers had submitted objections after the land acquisition notification was issued between June 9 and June 20, 2024. He argued that under the Roads and State Highways Act of 1955, the govt is required to hear these objections before conducting a survey.
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Speaking at a meeting of farmers and Samiti members at the Government Rest House in Kolhapur, farmers’ leader and former MP Raju Shetti accused the govt of forcing through an “unnecessary” project. Shetti issued a stern warning to officials against entering farmlands for surveys. “We will treat them like dacoits if they try to enter our land at midnight. Come during the daytime—why are you carrying out land surveys at night? Is the government a dacoit?” he asked. Why was the police force protecting a private company that was awarded the survey contract? Shetti questioned. “The govt has not followed the law. They should not test the patience of the farmers,” Phonde warned. Download the TOI App.