Withdraw SIR status to Bhechraji-Mandal, clear Maruti-Suzuki of the area, else face agitation: JAAG to Modi

Lalji Desai and Sagar Rabari of the Jameen Adhikar Aandolan – Gujarat (JAAG) have in a statement said that Gujarat government announcement of removal of 36 villages from the Mandal-Bhechraji special investment region (SIR) is an "incomplete victory" for the farmers agitating against the SIR for the last four months. In a press conference, state finance minister Nitin Patel declared that the state government had decided to remove 36 villages from the SIR, but would retain eight villages.

"The leaders of the agitation or the community based organisations (CBOs) have received no official communication in this matter", the JAAG statement said, adding, "This is an incomplete victory since the demands of the agitation viz. withdrawal of the SIR notification, removal of the Maruti Suzuki Company and reversing the process of de-commanding of the Narmada command area are yet pending". At the same time JAAG said, "It is nonetheless welcome since this is the first time in the last 12 years that the state government had to give in to the demands of the people owing to massive show of strength and their unprecedented solidarity in the face of machinations."
The statement declared, "The decision on further programmes will be taken jointly in consultation with the people of the area. There are two lessons that come out very glaringly: (a) farmers have seen through the ‘development’ gimmick of the government and are not going to fall prey to those platitudes, falsehoods and hype, and (b) industry and corporate leaders need to understand the local mood and anger before inking the MOUs and not be misled by the government’s false assurances."

JAAG said, they would expect Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the status of the special investment region (SIR) granted to the Bhechraji-Mandal area. Also demanding that the Maruti-Suzuki company “should removed from the area”, they said, “Till such time we will not rest nor let the government rest in peace”, warning, in case the SIR is not withdrawn, would be launched.
Announcing a programme of action, the statement added, the people of 101 villages (44 of the SIR and other neighbouring villages) will meet on August 15, 2013 at 8.30 am at village Naviyani road, near Hansalpur village for flag hoisting. And in case the “CM does not make a declaration withdrawing the SIR in his Independence Day speech, then we will announce a surprise programme against the Maruti Suzuki company”.
The statement further said, “Nearly 50,884 ha. of land of 44 villages has been earmarked for the Mandal-Bechraji SIR. Additionally, land has been given to the Maruti Suzuki Co. in village Hansalpur. As a ploy to hasten the process of farmers selling off their lands the Narmada canal command area (which was to supply water to the farms here) was de-commanded.” This led the “farmers in this area organised themselves and under the joint aegis of the Azad Vikas Sangathan and JAAG launched a campaign against the SIR."

Earlier, Lalji Desai and Sagar Rabari, who met chief minister Narendra Modi on July 11, claimed soon after the meeting "victory of the people’s movement" against the Mandal-Bechraji SIR. They said, they were "convinced" by Modi, who met them in Gandhinagar, that by August 15 they would get some "positive news" on SIR. The CM also told them, the Narmada canal's decommanded area would recommanded.

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