VALPOI
A large number of farmers and their families staged a peaceful protest in Valpoi on Tuesday to demand firm action by the State government against wild animals which have been destroying crops in Sattari taluka.
This was the first such protest by the Sattari Shetkari Manch (SSM) and farmers threatened to intensify their agitation if the government did not address the grievances of farmers.
The agitation started from the Shahid Stambh at Valpoi at 10 am and farmers proceeded to the Valpoi Municipal Council building, before sitting in the open space in front of the District Collector's office in Sattari.
Leaders of different parties participated in the protest and they included former MP Narendra Sawaikar.
Addressing the farmers, Sawaikar said the government had permitted the killing of wild boar under certain restrictions but requested the government to streamline the process of issuing firearm licenses and to consider other demands of farmers in the near future.
“This movement is not limited to Sattari taluka and will spread across the State in the near future,” said Sawaikar.
SSM Secretary Manikrao Rane said the livelihood of the farmers had been severely affected since the last 10 years and warned that if the government did not take the matter seriously, farmers across the State would take to the streets in protest.
SSM office bearer Vinay Bapat said situation of farmers in Sattari is deteriorating and they desperately needed the support of the government and it should not test the tolerance of farmers.
Shivaji Desai criticised politicians for ignoring the problems of the farmers in Sattari taluka, while a farmer, Anil Nene, said the government should take care of wild animals by planting fruit-bearing trees in the forest.
Others also criticised environmentalists for trying to rub salt into the wounds of farmers by writing articles in favour of protecting wild animals and appealed to animal lovers to inspect the situation and condition of farmers in Sattari.
Among the many speakers addressing the farmers included SSM office bearer Vishwesh Prabhu, Manisha Usgavkar, senior horticulturist Balkrishna alias Dada Sawaikar, Dashrath Mandrekar, Sudin Marathe, Shahaji Desai Roshan Desai, Ganpat Gaonkar and Surekha Barve.
This was the first such protest by the Sattari Shetkari Manch (SSM) and farmers threatened to intensify their agitation if the government did not address the grievances of farmers.
The agitation started from the Shahid Stambh at Valpoi at 10 am and farmers proceeded to the Valpoi Municipal Council building, before sitting in the open space in front of the District Collector's office in Sattari.
Leaders of different parties participated in the protest and they included former MP Narendra Sawaikar.
Addressing the farmers, Sawaikar said the government had permitted the killing of wild boar under certain restrictions but requested the government to streamline the process of issuing firearm licenses and to consider other demands of farmers in the near future.
“This movement is not limited to Sattari taluka and will spread across the State in the near future,” said Sawaikar.
SSM Secretary Manikrao Rane said the livelihood of the farmers had been severely affected since the last 10 years and warned that if the government did not take the matter seriously, farmers across the State would take to the streets in protest.
SSM office bearer Vinay Bapat said situation of farmers in Sattari is deteriorating and they desperately needed the support of the government and it should not test the tolerance of farmers.
Shivaji Desai criticised politicians for ignoring the problems of the farmers in Sattari taluka, while a farmer, Anil Nene, said the government should take care of wild animals by planting fruit-bearing trees in the forest.
Others also criticised environmentalists for trying to rub salt into the wounds of farmers by writing articles in favour of protecting wild animals and appealed to animal lovers to inspect the situation and condition of farmers in Sattari.
Among the many speakers addressing the farmers included SSM office bearer Vishwesh Prabhu, Manisha Usgavkar, senior horticulturist Balkrishna alias Dada Sawaikar, Dashrath Mandrekar, Sudin Marathe, Shahaji Desai Roshan Desai, Ganpat Gaonkar and Surekha Barve.
