Farmers' stir over ring road turns violent, one injured in stone pelting

JAIPUR: The unresolved land acquisition issues between the state and the farmers in the ongoing ring road project have now taken a serious turn. A large number of agitated farmers became violent and pelted stones injuring one operator of an earth moving machine on Wednesday.
The incident occurred near the Khetapura village where the earth moving machines were reportedly working on the project site.Circle inspector Nawab Khan of Shivdaspura station said, "Around 200 villagers, including women, violently protested during their work. When they pelted stones, wind shields of three earth moving machines were broken. The workers also received minor injuries after they were manhandled."
"Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) officials have lodged an FIR against one Badri Bagra , president of the Ring Road Sangrash Samiti and 10 villagers," he said.
The JDA officials said the farmers of the area are supporting the sangrash samiti. The JDA was carrying out road leveling work in the area. Meanwhile, farmers claimed that the JDA officials were forcefully carrying out work on farmers' land which has not been surrendered. "On Tuesday, the farmers have informed the officials that they will not allow work on their land unless the decision over the issue is completed. The JDA forcefully entered our land with police and started working," alleged Virendra Katewa , general secretary of the samiti.
A JDA sources said, "The land record is still not clear and the farmers, even those who have received award letter, are not aware about their land. It is the deputy commissioner's mistake that work is not taken seriously, resulting in protest."
Even after a year, the fate of the multi-crore ring road project hangs in balance. In the alleged absence of the state government's intervention, JDA officials and company workers are finding it difficult to work on the ring road project.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has also appointed MP Mahesh Joshi to resolve the issue. However, no concrete decision has been taken so far.
Sources in the JDA claimed that so far, complaints have been lodged with Shivdaspura and Muhana police stations against farmers who assaulted the company and JDA workers on the site. However, not a single person has been booked. "It seems, political influence is playing a larger role in this regard. Also, it is alleged that farmers are protected by politicians and this is the reason why they indulge in daring acts like assaulting officers."
Last year, during a protest over land acquisition issues, a large number of farmers turned violent and beat up a few project workers and attempted to set ablaze earth moving machines. "An FIR against eight farmers was lodged in the matter; however, no action has been taken yet," a source said.
As the contract company Sanjosh Supreme has shown apprehension to work under such circumstances, the JDA has earlier provided them with security. Even after that, work cannot start.
Though, the empowered committee is trying to resolve the farmers' demands, ambiguity looms large over the project as the farmers backed by the samiti remain adamant that the ring road project must be constructed on 90 metres and refuse to part with 360 metres. "A senior Congress politician is motivating the farmers to force the government to form a committee in which he can also be a part of it. Farmers are being shielded and supported," a highly placed sources said.
The JDA had planned to construct a road on 90 metre transport corridor and acquired 135 metres on either side to develop it commercially. The idea has, however, not gone down well with the farmers. Under the banner of the samiti, they are demanding compensation at market price for 90 metre and return of excess land.