Patna: Farmer organisations in Bihar have announced a statewide protest against the govt’s plan to develop 12 greenfield satellite townships, claiming that the projects would threaten agricultural land and the livelihoods of farming communities. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for demonstrations on July 22 against the policies of the state and central govts and said it would use the Bankipur assembly by-election to highlight farmers’ concerns.The organisation will launch a door-to-door campaign in the Bankipur constituency on July 23, 24 and 25. Farmers affected by various development projects will reach out to voters on issues related to land acquisition and farmers’ rights. SKM has openly declared its campaign against the NDA candidate in the bypoll.Farmer functionary Ashok Prasad Singh said the protest was part of a nationwide call against the proposed US trade deal and policies that, according to the organisation, are detrimental to farmers’ interests.Opposing the satellite township plan, Ashok said Bihar needed “smart villages” rather than new townships. He alleged that the govt was using the language of development to acquire ancestral farmland and hand it over to corporate interests. Instead, he said, the focus should be on agriculture and allied industries to create jobs and bring migrant workers back to the state.The organisation has demanded a permanent solution to floods and droughts, better education, healthcare and transport facilities in villages and guaranteed employment opportunities.Another farmer functionary, Janak Dev Singh, said large tracts of fertile land could be affected by projects such as satellite townships, the Bharatmala project, the Chausa thermal power plant, railway expansion, the proposed water park at Piprakothi and the nuclear power project in Banka.He said the disputes surrounding these projects underlined the importance of public trust in development. For farmers, he argued, land is not merely an economic asset but the basis of their identity and livelihood.The farmers’ body alleged that the govt was trying to take over land preserved by generations of farming families. It warned that farmers, sharecroppers and agricultural labourers would be united for a peaceful but strong movement in Bihar on the lines of the Delhi farmers’ agitation.Farmer functionary Dev Kumar urged farmers and agricultural workers to intensify the struggle.
