Will resist any ground survey: Purandar villagers

"Considering the number of people who participated today, our confidence has increased. We protested in a peaceful way and we are sure it will remain like that in future. The state government is spending a huge sum of money towards conducting a ground survey of the Purandar site before work on the DPR (detailed project report) starts. Why is it wasting so much of money on a project which we won't allow? The villagers have decided that if anyone comes (to conduct a ground survey), we will ask them to leave.It will be done without using force. If the state government wants to arrest us, it can do that," Vilas Kadlag, a landowner from Rajewadi, told TOI after the rally.
Sushila Memane (55), a resident of Pargaon, was visibly upset and angry as she waved a black flag. "Why do you think I am here on the streets in this heat and humidity? This is a question of our identity, our land and our village. It (state government) is promising a lot of things, but I don't care. Money holds no importance for me or my family. If they force me out of my land and village, I will immolate myself. I prefer to die rather than leave the land where I have lived for so many years," she said.
Memane's companion Shanta Jagtap (45), who hails from Rajewadi, didn't say much. Instead, she showed a black placard which read, "Land is our right... Let us live and be what and who we are."
Balasaheb Memane (50), a farmer from Pargaon who owns 15 acres of land, said, "People are spreading lies and saying that the villagers of Purandar are okay with the idea of an airport and are more than willing to give their land. Does it look like we are ready to give away our plots? No one from the government will be allowed in our villages to conduct any kind of survey. If we give our land, we will become beggars in our own village," he said.
Kiran Jagtap (24), a student from a Pune-based college, looked out of place in his dark blue polka-dotted shirt and swanky sunglasses. But, Jagtap, who hails from Rajewadi, said, "I may be modern but come from a farmer's family and know that land is nothing less than a mother to me. No one can understand our anxiety and tension. My land is my right and I will not let it go."
MNS also bats for farmers
With the Congress and NCP openly supporting the Purandar farmers, the MNS also jumped in and declared they would stand by the landowners and farmers.
Baba Jadhavrao, head of the farmers' front of the MNS, said, "We are going to fight hard for the farmers. Any project is named after it is completed. This is where Mahatma Phule was born. Then why has the government, which calls itself secular, not named it after him? Only 2% people use airports while the rest use other forms of transport. Farmers are opposing (the project) and it is the right thing to do. With the government spending around Rs 20,000 crore for the airport, it is evident the money is being spent only for 2% people. We will not let this happen."