Thousands of farmers and tribals under the aegis of Lok Sangharsh Morch, arrived at the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Mumbai on Thursday to press for their demands and protest against the various agrarian issues plaguing the state. The protesting farmers have reached Azad Maidan after walking 13 hours over two days from Thane to Mumbai.
A 30-member delegation of farmers is scheduled to meet Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in the evening and will put forth their demands. They are also likely to take up the issue of the implementation of Forests Rights Act with the Chief Minister.
The protesters have refused to leave the Azad Maidan until their demands are met by the state government.
Several political parties have lent their support to the protest, including Janata Dal (Secular), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiv Sena. Water conservationist Dr Rajendra Singh and MP Raju Shetty have also come out in support.
Some of the demands include the implementation of Swaminathan Committee Report, pending claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), minimum support price and setting up of a judicial system to ensure its implementation, complete farm loan waiver and drought compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for non-irrigated land and Rs 1 lakh per acre for irrigated land and other issues.