Farmers protest in 12 districts on Jan 24 against Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Highway

Kolhapur: Farmers under the banner of Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti have decided to stage a protest on Jan 24 outside the collectors of 12 districts that will be affected due to the construction of Nagpur-Goa Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway.Girish Phonde, coordinator of the samiti, said, "The govt is highlighting a false narrative that this highway has been opposed only in Kolhapur district. In reality, there is opposition to this highway from all 12 districts through which the highway will pass. If the govt tries to impose this unwanted highway, the farmers will carry out a do-or-die battle. All the MLAs in Kolhapur district belong to Mahayuti. It is time for them to announce their stand. Don't make farmers hit the streets again."The state govt recently ordered land mapping for Nagpur-Goa Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway.Meanwhile, Gajendra Yelkar, a member of the samiti from Latur, said, "Many MLAs and MPs belonging to Mahayuti joined the agitation against the Shaktipeeth Highway. They took a stand in favour of farmers. Therefore, it is clear that this govt does not listen to its own MLAs and MPs."Several other organisations have also threatened agitation against the highway.Meanwhile, Shetkari Kamgar Paksh on Thursday submitted a written statement of demands to resident deputy collector Jyoti Patil, demanding cancellation of the highway. Digambar Kamble, district president, Shetkari Kamgar Paksh, said, "The highway will not be allowed to pass through 19 villages of Sangli district. Farmers are ready to fight road battles. There will be great damage to vineyards, sugar cane, and other fruit trees. The villages on the banks of the river will face a major risk of flooding due to the rise in the height of the highway and inundation. As many of these cultivators own small lands, they will become landless due to loss of land for construction of the highway."