- विज्ञापन -
Patna: The land acquisition process for the construction of Purnea Airport has sparked significant protests among local villagers, resulting in clashes with police on Wednesday.
Angry villagers, armed with traditional weapons and sticks, confronted the police and drove them away from the proposed site. The police were forced to retreat due to the resistance from the locals. In response to the unrest, the district authorities have increased police presence in the area to maintain control. A large number of police officers and BPM personnel have been deployed.
The situation remains tense, as villagers continue to oppose the land acquisition. The farmers are demanding compensation for their land, claiming that they have not been paid for the acquired land. Additionally, they allege that their maize crops were harvested without receiving any payment. A police team, led by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), arrived to oversee the maize harvest on Wednesday but was met with strong opposition from villagers, leading to further disturbances.
In light of the ongoing protests, SDO Parth Gupta addressed the concerns of the locals, clarifying that the compensation for the affected landowners has already been deposited in court. He assured that landowners can claim their compensation through legal procedures. Gupta acknowledged that there was some miscommunication with the farmers, which has now been resolved, and expressed confidence that the situation would return to normal soon.
He also mentioned that contractors for the airport construction had arrived in Purnea. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has hired external contractors for the project. However, some villagers, including women, claim they have not yet received any payment.
Despite the assurances from officials, the villagers are insisting on receiving compensation directly before any further land acquisition takes place.
The Purnea Airport project is a major initiative by the Central government to connect the Seemanchal region of Bihar to the rest of the country. Currently, residents of the region must travel to Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal, or Darbhanga or Patna airports for flights. Over the years, the project has been a point of political contention between the NDA and the Grand Alliance.
