The farmers of Sallameta village whose land is coming under submergence on account of the development of Kosarteda Medium Irrigation Project in Bastar region have postponed their ‘Jal Satyagraha’ until February 24.
About 200 farmers, including women and children had entered the water of the dam while demanding a special compensation package for the project oustees. Huge police force has been deployed at the dam site, but no arrests of agitating farmers were made. However, persuaded by the Collector and District Rehabilitation Committee Secretary Ankit Anand, the farmers while suspending their Jal Satyagraha programme, agreed to sit on a dharna only upto February 24.
later, the Collector, to discuss the farmers' demands have called a meeting of the farmers and Water Resources Department officers, on February 24. The farmers while discussing their demand on Friday evening, showed some leniency in their attitude, but made it clear that the issue would not be solved without the release of the Rs 5.20 crore special package for them.
The Government and administration should have to take a decision on their other demands also, they stated. In support of their demand for a special package, 944 farmers from the submergence affected Saalmeta, Khadkameeta, Chhuravand, Kamela and Kanera villages were on dharna and Jal Satyagraha from Wednesday. Earlier, in February and November 2012 also, the farmers had staged agitation with the special package demand.
During the Jal Satyagraha, 50-year-old tribal farmer Saamnath fell in the water and fainted. The police had arrested 203 agitating farmers and had brought them to Bhanpuri police station. Out of them, 194 farmers were released on Wednesday. However, the police did not release farmer leaders Gopiram Baghel, Ratiram, Maniram, Nandoram, Maniram Baghel and others and they remained in the station the whole night. On Thursday, the police took them to collectorate in their vehicle and left there.
In the evening, while discussing with the farmers, the collector urged them to withdraw their agitation, but they did not agree. Farmer leader Hardev Baghel said that the demands of the farmers are genuine.