Tribal farmers start 53-km march to minister’s hometown Loni

The march is being organised by the All India Kisan Sabha and other Left-backed organisations to draw attention to the non-implementation of the Forest Rights Act, which recognises the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, in the state.

Five years ago the All India Kisan Sabha held its first “long march”, where thousands of farmers walked from Nashik to Mumbai to press for their demands. Tribal communities living in forest areas have long complained that they have been denied their rights guaranteed by the Forest Right Act. Tribal belts, especially those in Nashik and north Maharashtra, have traditionally supported the All India Kisan Sabha, which manages to get good response for its marches.

Dr Ajit Nevale, general secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha, said the organisers of the latest march had taken ample precautions to manage the summer heat. Across the route, volunteers have made arrangements for water and designated places have been made for the marchers to halt for the night, he said.

The march will culminate in a sit-in protest on Friday. Nevale said the march was being taken to Loni as most issues related to the tribal belts were associated with Vikhe Patil. “Be it the non-implementation of the Forest Rights Act or the failure to compensate farmers for crop loss, the minister is responsible for the delay,” he said.

Earlier, on Wednesday morning, Navale and other members of the All India Kisan Sabha met Vikhe Patil. However, Navale said that as other ministers were not present, the delegation refused to discuss all matters concerning the march.

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For the All India Kisan Sabha, the talk about importing skimmed milk powder and white butter has also rung an alarm bell as dairy is a major income generator for the farmers, especially when they are just making good the losses incurred in the Covid years.