PUNE: Hundreds of farmers, led by former state minister Bhai Vaidya, on Tuesday protested at Karegaon, in Shirur taluka, about 50 km from here, opposing the special economic zone (SEZ) schemes of the government.

The agitation began at 11 am even as the protestors moved to Shikrapur and later to Phutanwadi on the Ahmednagar highway. The protest was part of a nationwide campaign against SEZs. The main demands are that the SEZ Act should be withdrawn and a national debate should be held on agriculture, land acquisition and development.

The government is acquiring about 4,000 acres of land under SEZ in Karegaon alone against the wishes of the farmers. Vaidya said, “The government calls it ‘engine of growth industry’. But countries like China and Cuba have developed solely on agriculture. Only because a nation is rich does not mean it is a developed country. But, believe it or not, few years from now, India’s progress will completely depend upon farmers.”

The protestors want the government to withdraw the land acquisition notices issued to people in the village. Vaidya said the government must not endorse this acquisition. “By taking to the streets, the people have shown their displeasure and the government has to acknowledge this. SEZs and contract farming acts should be scrapped. Many factories have come up on agricultural land in villages, but it is disappointing that villagers have not got employment. The factories are automated and manpower is hardly required, and the farmers stand to lose.”

The village women, who also gathered here, shouted slogans like ‘chale jao (go away). Rekha Chand said, “If we sell our land, we will be left with nothing. Where will we go and what will we do? Agriculture is our only occupation. What will we eat after selling our land?” Some of the villagers have about four acres of land under SEZ, who also came in large numbers to oppose the acquisition.

The protestors will move to Chandus village in Khed and Lonavala on Wednesday and Karla and Maan villages on March 27. the agitation will move to Lavasa on March 28 and conclude at the district collectorate in Pune.

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