CHANDRAPUR: Hundreds of farmers and farm labourers staged a sit-in agitation in front of the residence of finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar at Girnar Chowk here on Monday. The agitation for around two hours despite heavy rainfall led to a massive traffic jam on the busy Kasturba and Anchleshwar Gate Roads.

They were protesting under the banner of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha, Adivasi Mahasabha and Lalbavta Khetmajdoor Union.

The agitators took out a protest march from Maulana Azad garden under the leadership of Madhukar Patil, Namdev Gavde and Namdev Kannake of Kisan Sabha. They marched up to Mungantiwar’s residence at Kasturba Chowk and mobbed the entire square despite heavy rain.

The agitators said the government has deceived them with false promises of providing pattas to traditional forestland cultivators within six months, after the organization had taken out a march from Nashik to Mumbai earlier this year.

Easing the oppressive norm of providing three generation evidence for non-tribal forest dwellers for regularization of their forest land under Forest Right Act, 2006, along with other demand was raised through the agitation.

Even as police tried to clear the mob, protestors stood their ground and did not leave the square. The traffic along the busy Kasturba Road and Anchleshwar Gate Road was stalled leading to massive traffic jams.

Finally Mungantiwar, who was not in the city, spoke to the farmer leaders on phone to pacify them and assured to hold a meeting with them at Mumbai next month.

Farmers and farm labourers stage strong agitation before finance ministers residence

