Citing govt apathy, Ninder farmers begin hunger strike

Jaipur: Alleging that the state government is not serious for talks to resolve their issues, protesting farmers of Ninder village launched indefinite hunger strike on Saturday.

Farmers, who have taken 'zameen samadhi' demanding de-acquisition of land, have given up food.

Nagendra Singh, coordinator, Ninder Bacho Kisan Yuva Samiti, said, "The administration had given us time of meeting at 4pm for the fourth round of talks. But, they postponed the talks. It seems that the government is not serious for talks,"

It was the sixth day of their agitation and they claimed that they will continue till government takes decision for de-acquiring their land.

Singh said that they will continue indefinite hunger strike along with 'zameen samadhi satyagrah' till government takes positive decision in their favour.

He said that 22 farmers and 11 women have given up food and they are taking only water.

Singh said that they have already agreed on points of re-survey of land, but the JDA officials are adamant on discussing the points of re-survey again.

The agitating farmers had already informed state government that survey conducted by the JDA was wrong. In nearly 19 colonies, more than 5,000 people are living after constructing their houses. Similarly, many farmers were cultivating their lands.

JDA had planned to acquire 1,300 bigha to develop it as one of the biggest housing schemes. Out of this, the civic body took possession of 110 bigha recently from the 'mandir mafia'. Till date, JDA has taken possession of 600 bigha located in the scheme. It has also deposited Rs 60 crore in the court for the acquired land.

JDA had announced the scheme in January 2011. It is proposed that the project, located 20km away from Ajmeri Gate, will have 10,000 houses.