Dombivli leaders back villagers after Nevali protest

Mumbai city news: On Thursday, thousands of villagers belonging to the Agri, Koli and Kunbi community gathered at Savirtribai Phule auditorium in Dombivli to find a solution to the Nevali land row.

Political representatives and leaders from Thane, Palghrar, Raigad and Mumbai have joined hands to support the villagers and farmers in Nevali who are fighting for their land.

On Thursday, thousands of villagers belonging to the Agri, Koli and Kunbi community gathered at Savirtribai Phule auditorium in Dombivli to find a solution to the Nevali land row. (HT photo)

On Thursday, thousands of villagers belonging to the Agri, Koli and Kunbi community gathered at Savirtribai Phule auditorium in Dombivli to find a solution to the Nevali land row.

This meeting between the villagers and the local political representatives is the first one after the June 22 incident where a protest by Nevali farmers turned violent, injuring several policemen and the villagers. The Thane police have arrested 52 villagers for attempt to murder and rioting.

The political representatives decided to prepare an agenda that will list the problems of the farmers and villagers and the solution to the land row. “We will form a committee, prepare an agenda and submit it to the chief minister,” said Kapil Patil, MP.

MLAs Subhash Bhoir and Ganpat Gaikwad, Agri community president Rajaram Salvi and several other leaders from Panvel and Raigad attended the meeting.

The villagers alleged police brutality. “My husband was arrested and the police didn’t even allow me to meet him. What was his fault? If fighting for our rights is a crime, than the police should arrest the entire villagers,” said Sangeeta Chaudhary, a resident of Nevali village.

On June 22, more than 6,500 villagers were about to conduct silent protest against the construction of a wall on farm land.

MLA Ganpat Gaikwad threatened to go on a hunger strike if the police failed to release the arrested villagers. “We will ask the CM to release those who are arrested,” said Jagannath Patil, senior BJP leader.