Bhal farmers, on Saturday, took out a bike rally demanding an abolition of Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR). They claimed converting the land into an industrial turf will destroy its capacity for cultivating organic wheat. This is the first of the three rallies proposed by the farmers. Sagar Rabari, the founder president of Gujarat Khedut Ekta Manch, led the rally that began from Sandhida village and ended at Otariya village, covering villages of Raipur, Jhankhi, Mingalur, Ghandadh, Panchi and Mundi. Rabari addressed meetings in villages and assured that if other SIRs have been abolished, the government will have to abolish Dholera SIR because of protests of local farmers. “The state government has abolished all SIRs, except Dholera. This is because farmers of villagers did not carry out protests,” he said assuring them that whatever land has been acquired so far can also be returned back to farmers. “The land is fertile. It is famous for organic wheat. Farmers are not willing to part with their land and do not want to be displaced,” he said. Addressing another gathering, he said this region is a part of command area of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam project. After sustained protests, farmers have brought Narmada water at their doorsteps. However, if Dholera SIR project is implemented, farmers will have to part with their land. So farmers are now opposing SIR. Two more bike rallies would also follow to mobilize farmers against Dholera SIR.

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