Farmers from 35 villagers who have been demanding a 20 kms canal for about 10 years assembled in the village of Bhasundar in Shivpuri district. The two thousand strong gathering gave an ultimatum to the political parties to immediately start construction on the canal; otherwise they will not only boycott the elections but also not allow any political campaign in their villages. They said that the canal was their right and they would not hesitate to begin a hard-hitting agitation to get it.
The farmers assembled in the Hanuman mandir situated Bhusandar village on Sunday at around 1 pm. The specialty of this assembly was that no political or social leaders were invited.
The elders of these 35 villages expressed their views, and appealed to the Government to immediately look into the matter.
They said that all the villages were together in this, and there would be a united agitation if the Government does not heed to their demands.
A farmer from Kishorpura Pradeep Sharma said that they will not cast their votes unless and until their demand for a canal is met. He further said people will be posted at all pooling booths to see that none cast their votes.
About 2000 farmers from Pandola, Pandoli, Khadeli, Bhilondi, Chandrapura, Filozpura,Bhamhori, Godakhedi, Bherukhadi,Ajpura, Gurjarwadi,Prempura,Ghuvadi, Matepura,Jaida, Ichapura, Nagada, Bhagvada, Khirni, Kanapur, Pipaldi, Daulatpura, Ramgavadi, Kishorepura,Khundhaveli,Katodi,Tulsef,loond, Bhasundar,Bhamori Jhat,Dhukkadia Kheda and Narayan pura took part in the genral assembly.
The farmers said that the agitation will be a long one, so money will be needed. They have decided to collect 35 thousand rupees from each village. A committee for this will be elected soon. At the initial stage, they have decided to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister