Rajkot: Diu administration after Tuesday’s failure attempt again tried to take possession of the land of four villages forcefully on Friday. The administration tried to execute the 30-year-old order,
which according to farmers is one-sided, and they don’t have knowledge of this kind of order.
The Diu administration came with the police and four companies of paramilitary force to the four villages — Saudvadi, Nagao, Jaravadi and Gucharvada. Farmers allege that police used force to disperse them. Deputy sarpanch of Saudvadi village Shankar Baria said, “Nearly 700 to 800 police force was deputed to take possession from us. They used force against the villagers on Tuesday and they had to leave because of friction. Now, they have come with the paramilitary personnels.”
The farmer leaders have approached the Diu administrative tribunal, which is hearing their case. Farmers’ advocate Manoj Chudasama said, “The court ordered to maintain status quo till next hearing date, which is June 26.” After court’s order, the force left the village. Diu superintendent of police Vipul Anekant said, “We didn’t use force against villagers, we detained some of the villagers and released them later on.”
Farmers say their forefathers were given the land before 1960 by the then Portuguese government for cultivation. As the soil was sandy, they worked hard and made the land cultivable. They don’t claim ownership on this land, but they want administration to give this land for cultivation on lease.
Farmers cultivate groundnut, bajra, vegetables, coconut, mangoes and other fruits in the four villages.
Villagers clash with cops