Sena (UBT) farmers' protest on Samruddhi Expressway at Wanoja; MLA Nitin Deshmukh detained

Akola: The Shiv Sena Thackeray faction held a protest on the Samruddhi Expressway demanding Rs 1 lakh per hectare in assistance for farmers in financial distress because of heavy rain and crop losses. On Friday, thousands of farmers and Shiv Sainiks took to the road at Wanoja in Washim district under the leadership of MLA and deputy leader Nitin Deshmukh.

Police had not permitted the protest. Despite this, the protesters tried to block the expressway. There was heavy pushing and shoving between police and the protesters, and police had to use a mild lathi-charge to bring the situation under control. Police then detained several protesters, including MLA Nitin Deshmukh.

The protesters demand that, instead of an immediate aid of only Rs 5,000, farmers receive proper compensation for the heavy rain and crop losses. The Thackeray faction's position is that every farmer should be given financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per hectare. Deshmukh made it clear that farmers' land had been acquired, and that the Samruddhi Expressway built on that land was now being blocked for the farmers' rights.

To draw the largest possible turnout, Deshmukh and Shiv Sena office-bearers had toured Akola and Washim districts and appealed to farmers to join. Accordingly, large crowds of farmers and Shiv Sainiks began gathering at Wanoja from Friday morning.

The administration had deployed heavy police bandobast in view of the protest. More than 1,500 police officers and personnel from different districts of the division had reached the spot. Despite this, the protesters tried to block the road on the Samruddhi Expressway, leading to a confrontation with police.

After pushing and shoving from both sides, police carried out a mild lathi-charge to disperse the protesters. Following this, the protesters expressed anger against the government. Meanwhile, police detained MLA Nitin Deshmukh and the workers taking part in the protest.

The Samruddhi Expressway is an important expressway in the state. A road blockade here disrupts traffic and can also raise questions about the safety of travellers. For this reason, police had refused permission for the protest and notices had also been served on the organisers. Even so, the Thackeray faction stuck to its protest and demonstrated on the expressway. Tension prevailed in the Wanoja area for some time.