Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 18: The farmers of central Kashmir’s Budgam district chose a unique and creative method of protest to demand adequate compensation for their land that is going to be acquired for Srinagar semi-ring road project.
The farmers showed up in Partap Park here and performed skits and sung songs as a mark of protest against the “paltry compensation for their land” taken for the construction of the semi-ring road project. Click here to watch video
Threatre artists Rayeez Wathoori and Tanveer Bhat presented a very emotional skit during the protest depicting pathetic condition of Kashmiri farmers due to very meager land holding and subsequent land acquisition by Government
Under the banner of Semi-Ring Road Land Owners Welfare Committee the angry protestors raised anti-Government slogans. They were holding placards reading “NHAI, do not act as East India Company” and “Ring road, destroying our future”.
Raja Muzaffar Bhat, an RTI activist and the convener of the committee, said the farmers were getting inadequate compensation because of an archaic state law. “The Jammu and Kashmir Land Acquisition Act is 80 years old and has weak provisions. While as central land acquisition and rehabilitation which ensures a fair compensation is not applicable to the State. It is because of the State law adequate compensation is not being paid,” he said.
He, however, asked: “What is the fault of the farmers if the Government has a week law. The average land holding of farmers here is less than the rest of the country and by that logic, the farmers should get more compensation.”
Ali Mohammad, a protestor from Budgam, told Excelsior that the authorities were taking all the land the family possessed. “All my land comes under the road and I will be left with nothing after the project picks up. I have two children who are unemployed despite attaining education. The land is their only source of income. What will I do with the compensation?” he asked. He said the authorities should provide employment to his children and compensate the farmers as per the market rates.
Another farmer, Ghulam Nabi, from Hajbal area of Budgam said that the Government should pass the ordinance of new land acquisition law which would ensure a fair compensation. “Jobs and compensation should be provided to affected families. Besides, the orchardists should be compensated as per the present value of fruit trees,” he said, adding “so far no farmer from Kashmir has committed suicide but if the Government fails to meet demands I will be the first case from here”.
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