A drone survey for the proposed Nagpur–Goa Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway in Khanapur tehsil of Sangli district was abruptly halted on Wednesday after women farmers staged a fierce protest. The survey, which commenced at 5 am and covered the Chikhalhol and Bhagyanagar areas, was suspended when the protesters, many clutching petrol bottles, blocked and forced revenue and land records department officials to abandon the operation.
Farmers Vow to Protect Their Land
“We will not let our land be taken away under any circumstances. We will give our lives if necessary, but not our land,” declared angry women farmers from Chikhalhol as they marched through the streets. The protest followed an earlier unrest on Tuesday when farmer and anti-Shaktipeeth activist Deepak Lad attempted self-immolation to oppose the drone survey.
Police Deployment and Clashes
Anticipating potential law-and-order issues, the administration had deployed a large police force in the Bhagyanagar area since 4 am. However, the authorities were rendered helpless in the face of the aggressive farmers and women. A strong verbal clash and minor scuffle broke out between the farmers and the police, creating an atmosphere of fear in the area.
Mangala Salokhe, one of the protesting farmers, voiced her anger: “On one hand, the government claims to support women through the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme, while on the other, their livelihood (land) is being acquired for the highway. They want to call us Ladki Bahin and take our lands? We are ready to go to jail. We will give our lives, but not our land.”
Protest March at Vita Tehsil Office
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a protest march was taken out by farmers at the Vita Tehsil office. Farmers’ leader and former MP Raju Shetti was also part of the march. Addressing the media, Shetti said, “Police were deployed at Vita-Nagewadi in Sangli district from 2 am to survey the Shaktipeeth highway. The police have started harassing the farmers who are opposing the survey of land for the Shaktipeeth Expressway. Why are they surveying at 3 am without giving any notification?”
