Nagpur has emerged as another focal point of resistance by farmers to the land grab program of the bourgeoisie and government.

The Nagpur plans involve compulsory land take over allegedly for a state of art airport, as well as SEZ. About 50,000 people from 13 villages around the present airport will be affected. The project is called Mihan (Maharashtra Multi Modal International Hub Airport at Nagpur). It is being promoted by the state sponsored Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC).

After carrying on peaceful protests through petitions, etc., to the government pleading not to use the land acquisition act of 1984 to forcibly acquire their lands, the farmers got the rude shock when they were told by officials that not only would their land be seized in “public interest” but there was no question of any rehabilitation for these farmers! In these circumstances, the farmers have stepped up the momentum of protest, with women, young boys, joining the men folk in the protests and dharnas, adopting novel forms of protest. These include tonsuring of their heads by males, young boys and even married females, to signify the extent of distress of the community. In January, in another novel protest, the people marched with 7000 buffaloes and cows on the highway and blocked it. They have also been gheraoing the local officials.

The affected villages include five within Nagpur’s municipal limits. Most of the land in the area is irrigated. Besides wheat, soyabean and cotton, vegetables are produced for the urban market. This is a region which is part of the famous orange belt.

The people of the area have a bitter experience of being fleeced of their lands for decades, in the name of development. The existing airport in Nagpur was built by forcibly acquiring their land, in 1937. They point out that they have surrendered land for various projects, like the Nagpur Improvement Trust, for an industrial estate, for a dairy project, and also in the early 1990s for a project of the Indian Air Force. Locals point out that the 270 acres land acquired for the Air Force Project was never used. Instead the Government is trying to sell the land off to private parties, but refusing to return it to the farmers to whom it belonged in first place.

Under Mihan, MADC will acquire 4,354 hectares. 1,278 hectares will be for the airport, and 2,086 hectares will be for an SEZ. This includes land for information technology parks, manufacturing units, a “health city” and a rail cum road terminal. The proposal is to create a new city, called Mihanpur, as a twin to Nagpur.

The going rate for land in the area is Rs 2 to 4 crores per acre! However MADC is offering a paltry Rs 1 to 2 lakh per acre. This is how the strong arm of the state is being deployed by the bourgeoisie to expropriate the peasantry and pauperise it.

The struggle of the farmers and working people of this area is entirely just and enjoys the support of working class of whole of India.