According to a note issued by the Lok Shashan Andolan, farmers of Raigad district, Maharashtra have been fighting over the last two years, to prevent the creation of one of the biggest proposed SEZs in India, by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries.

For nearly two years now, Reliance Industries has been trying its best to acquire the land from the peasants and the state government has been using its power and the state machinery to protect the interests of Reliance. When the farmers managed to stall the land acquisition process through their continued agitation and legal battle, then Reliance poured in huge sums of money to try to obtain the land through private negotiations.

The farmers of Raigad have strongly opposed the acquisition of land and have unanimously decided to not to give up their land. However, the capitalists and the government are trying nefarious methods to mislead the farmers and break their unity. In 2007, even as the farmers were carrying on their struggle and were determined not to give up their land, Reliance declared a rehabilitation package, which has been now accepted by the Rehabilitation Authority of the state government.  With the help of various agencies, Reliance and the government are now trying to make the farmers accept the rehabilitation package, in order to split their ranks and sabotage their resolute struggle.

Undeterred by these tactics, the farmers are pushing ahead with their struggle. On May 9, 2008 they organised a huge public rally at Koproli Naka. A public meeting was held in Joha of Hamrapur block in Pen, on May 27, 2008, where a copy of the rehabilitation package was burnt and the farmers once again reiterated their resolve to continue with their struggle and refuse to give up their land.