Farmers demand compensation for land

Hundreds of farmer on Monday hit the road seeking proper compensation for the land acquired by the Railways and threatened to disrupt the construction work of Haridaspur-Paradip rail project.

Farmers from Bajipada, Haldia and Nuagaon villages on the outskirts of district headquarters marched to the Collectorate and later staged a demonstration alleging that the Railways meted them out a raw deal while acquiring their fertile land.

The agitating farmers, who came together under the banner of Krushak Bikash Parishad, charged that they were forced to part with nearly 150 acres of land by payment of nominal monetary compensation.

These areas connected with excellent irrigation network are dependent on agriculture. The dispossessed farmers are having a torrid time to bear with the loss of agriculture land.

These landowners were paid compensatory benefits ranging from Rs 45,000 to Rs 54,000 per acre. On the other hand, the landowners in Guhalsingh area where fertility and agriculture yield was comparatively low were doled out hefty amount of over Rs 3 lakh per acre.