Gujarat fails to convince farmers protesting Mandal SIR

The state government's efforts to break the ice with farmers protesting against the Mandal Becharaji Special Investment Region (SIR), where a proposed Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) plant will come up, turned out to be a damp squib.
The Gujarat government invited some farmers today to talk about their opposition to the proposed SIR.
However, the local organisation spearheading the movement was not invited, Convenor of the Jameen Adhikar Andolan Gujarat (JAAG) Sagar Rabari told PTI.
"The Gujarat government tried to initiate talks with some people close to the BJP by calling them, without informing genuine local organisations associated with the movement," Rabari said.

"When this was brought to the notice of local villagers, an emergency meeting was called at Dalod village of Surendranagar district. At the end of the meeting, it was decided that no decision taken by any individuals (who are free to talk to anyone) will be binding on farmers or local organisations, until the government does not formally invite organisations spearheading the movement for talks," Rabari said in a statement.
He said that issues related to the SIR and the Maruti Suzuki factory are to be fought together and a solution to one will not end the agitation, adding that, both issues would have to be resolved together.

The SIR covers a Maruti car plant located at Hansalpur village on Viramgam-Becharaji highway and Gujarat government wants to develop the region as an auto and knowledge hub.
On June 11, farmers had submitted a memorandum to SIR Chief Executive Officer Pankaj Patel, expressing their reluctance to part with their fertile land for the proposed industrial project.