MIHAN

February 9, 2008 - A Nandigram near Nagpur?

WHAT do you do when you receive an official notice demanding that you surrender your land at a price under one-hundredth its market value? What are your options when land is your main source of livelihood, and is being acquired for a state-of-the-art airport and Special Economic Zone that won't remotely benefit you?

The people of Shivangaon village bordering Nagpur's airport did what any sane person would do. They made representations to the government not to apply the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 for compulsory takeover. They wrote countless petitions to the leaders of the ruling coalition and opposition. Then, eight months ago, they launched a daily dawn-to-dusk relay hunger-strike by 20 to 50 people.

This was followed by a novel protest. First, all the male adults shaved their heads. Then, all the boys. Later, so did some 90 women -- an extraordinary move signifying distress.

Sadly, the government is completely sold on a grandiose Rs2,581 crore project called Mihan (Maharashtra Multi-Modal International Hub Airport at Nagpur) Mihan was floated to "firmly put India on the fast track to economic superstardom", no less.

Mihan will ‘eliminate’ whole villages and render people landless-without rehabilitation. In a reply under a Right to Information Act application, the authorities have clarified there is "no notification" for rehabilitation.

On January 10, the villagers took to the streets in a novel way. They marched with 7,000 buffaloes and cows to block a highway. They have since also gheraoed officials and engineers who were trying to fence village lands for Mihan.

The people are willing to sell land, but at market value, so they can find alternative plots not too far away. The market rate is Rs2-4 crores per acre! This is confirmed by a sale deed of April 30 last, which shows that a High Court judge and his brothers sold land for a staggering Rs2.55 crores an acre. MADC is offering a pathetic Rs1-2 lakhs.

What makes the Mihan land business doubly iniquitous, indeed repugnant, is the spectacular irrationality of the project. SEZs lack economic logic, drain the exchequer, and promote distorted enclave-style growth. Most are "sweetheart deals".

The people will resist. In Shivangaon, hundreds have solemnly pledged they'll commit suicide, but won't surrender. We must sincerely hope they win, and that Nagpur doesn't witness another Nandigram, and Vidarbha yet another suicide wave-after thousands of cotton farmers have killed themselves. By Praful Bidwai , who is a senior Indian journalist, political activist and widely published commentator.

We at Librahitech share the views of the people who are affected by this poppycock. They must get the market rate of Rs.2-4 crores per acre. Failing which, the authorities concerned in India should look for some other strategic location for their project and not at the expense of the inhabitants of the area. We herewith express our solidarity with the affected people. Librahitech.

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