Bihar farmers refuse to cut their crops prematurely for Modi's function

Hajipur: The proposed venue for programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to unveil some Railway projects on March 12 here is facing difficulties with farmers refusing to cut their crop in the 60 acre field in Sultanpur village prematurely.

Farmers of Sultanpur village under Hajipur Industrial Area police station, some 6 km from district headquarter here in Bihar's Vaishali district, are refusing to part with their wheat crop which would be ready soon, to clear the venue for the PM's programme on March 12.

District Magistrate Rachna Patil said, "We are looking after the matter." Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway (ECR) Arvind Kumar Rajak said that in view of the protest, alternative venue was being looked into. The DM Patil also not ruled out the alternative venue.

The PM is scheduled to dedicate the Digha-Sonepur rail-cum road bridge besides the new Railway bridge at Munger at a function to be hosted by ECR on March 12.

The PM might also flag off a few trains in presence of Railway minister Suresh Prabhu and his deputy Manoj Sinha during the function. Besides, the Railway programme, the PM would be attending closing function of centenary celebration of the Patna High Court on the same day.

Earlier, at a meeting on Wednesday between ECR General Manager A K Mittal and Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, it was decided that over twelve farmers who would lose their crop at the venue, would be compensated. Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) of Hajipur Ravindra Kumar is trying for past two days to convince the farmers to make available the land.

One of the affected farmer Raja Ram Rai said to be close to RJD, said the wheat crop in their field was like a "young son for us which we do not want to sacrifice."

Media reports suggested that local BJP strongman Nityanand Rai, who is presently BJP Lok Sabha member from Ujiyarpur in Samastipur district, might broker peace with the agitating farmers.