Patna: Protests against the proposed Pataliputra Greenfield Satellite Township intensified in Patna as farmers took to the streets opposing the proposed land acquisition. Several farmers and students were detained during the demonstration, following which the protesters announced plans for a larger agitation.
The farmers alleged that the government was attempting to acquire their land against their wishes and accused the administration of using police action to suppress the protest. Raising slogans during the demonstration, they warned that the movement would expand if their demands were not addressed.
Farmers detained during protest
Police detained several protesting farmers and students and took them away in buses. Speaking to the media while being taken into custody, the farmers said they were prepared to face arrest but would not surrender their land.
“We will get arrested and go to jail, but we will not give up our land. We will sacrifice our lives, but not our land,” one of the protesting farmers said.
The protesters alleged that police had used force against those opposing the proposed township and said arrests would not deter them from continuing their campaign.
‘A bigger movement is coming’
The farmers said a larger agitation against the Pataliputra Township project would be announced soon. They claimed that students and other sections of society would join their campaign if the government continued with what they described as high-handedness against protesters.
“Bankipur is just a glimpse; the whole of India is yet to come,” the protesters declared, using the slogan to signal that the agitation could expand beyond the immediate affected areas.
The farmers also gave the protest a political dimension, referring to recent political developments in Bankipur and warning the government of a wider public backlash.
Farmers raise concerns over land pooling
The protesters also questioned the government’s land acquisition and land-pooling process, alleging that the policy could ultimately benefit large industrial groups.
Farmers claimed that land belonging to villagers could be transferred for large-scale development projects and raised concerns over the involvement of major industrialists. These allegations were made by protesters during the demonstration and could not be independently verified.
A farmer from Fatuha said he had been fighting to protect his land for a long time and maintained that he would not surrender it under any circumstances.
‘We will not give up our land’
The Fatuha farmer alleged that the government was using police action to pressure farmers into accepting the proposed land acquisition.
“Samrat Chaudhary is forcibly snatching our land and using the police to lathi-charge us. We will sacrifice our lives but not our land; we will go to jail but not give up our land,” he said.
He further alleged that the land-pooling process could benefit large corporate groups. The claims made by the protesters were part of their allegations against the government and were not independently established.
Farmers warn of escalation
The protesting farmers said their land was the primary source of livelihood for their families and argued that they could not afford to part with it.
They demanded that the government reconsider its decision concerning the proposed township and warned that the agitation would intensify if their concerns remained unresolved.
The farmers reiterated their determination to continue the campaign, saying they were prepared to face arrest but would not surrender their land.
