Protesting farmers caned at rally against Nirma plant

Kalsaria alleged that the government authorities used force on the agitators to break the agitation against the industrial group Nirma,which has been given permission by the government to establish a cement factory.

According to Kalsaria,more than 10 agitators were injured and more than 100 of them have been detained by the police.

He alleged that the local police have declined to take their complaint against the policemen who used force on the agitators to disperse the peaceful rally.

“We detained people in order to disperse the rally for maintaining law and order situation in the town,” said a senior police officer when contacted.

It may be noted that farmers have been on agitation against the cement plant being set up by the Nirma Group in Mahuva block.

The land granted for the cement plant includes government wasteland,a waterbody spread over 100 hectares and grazing lands in villages like Amlia,Gajarda,Delia and Dudheri,which are located on the coastal area of Mahuva block in Bhavnagar district.

Moreover,the government has also sanctioned 3,480 hectares on lease to Nirma for setting up a plant and carrying out limestone mining for manufacturing cement from the plant.

According to Kalsaria,the main reason to oppose the industry project is that there are two dams coming up in the area,which would provide water for agriculture.

“The government authorities are saying the area is under salinity and the land is not fertile for agriculture,” Kalsaria said,adding,”We,farmers,have been telling that once dams are constructed,water would be available for irrigation and this land is very fertile.”