Villagers oppose land acquisition for Ranchi airport expansion

RANCHI - Villagers are protesting the expansion of the Birsa Munda airport here as their land will be acquired for the project.

The state government has decided to acquire 373.3 acres of land for the expansion. If implemented, people from five villages will be displaced.

On Sunday, the state government put out a notice regarding the land acquisition. Hundreds of villagers gathered near the airport and vented their anger over the proposed land acquisition. The villagers also announced that they would protest in front of the governor’s house Wednesday.

We have decided not to part with our land for the airport expansion. Those who were displaced in the past did not get their dues. We have not been told anything regarding displacement and compensation. Just by putting a notice, the state government cannot indulge in forceful land acquisition, said Samit Lakra, a member of Airport Visthapit Sangarsh Manch (AVSM).

Dayamani, another protester, said: We will demonstrate in front of the governor’s house on Wednesday. We will die but will not part with our land.

According to government sources, the villagers will be handed individual land acquisition notices. We are preparing a list of people whose land will be acquired. We will serve notice to land owners regarding land acquisition. The displaced will get compensation as per government law, an official told IANS.