Massive CPI(M) march begins in Palghar seeking full acceptance of various demands

Palghar, Jan 19 (PTI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday launched its 'long march' involving nearly 50,000 people from all tehsils of Palghar district for several "burning and long-pending" demands, including complete implementation of Forest Rights Act and Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA).

Other demands include vesting of all temple, 'inaam' and government land in the name of actual tillers, restoration and strengthening of MGNREGA, cancellation of 'smart meter' scheme, repeal of the four Labour Codes, and scrapping of the proposed Wadhwan and Murbe ports, Ashok Dhawale, CPI(M) Politburo member and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) national president said in a release.

The march began from Charoti in Dahanu tehsil and is scheduled to halt for the night at Manor, before proceeding to the Palghar District Collectorate on Tuesday, the party said.

"The marchers will stage indefinite dharna at the Palghar Collectorate until the government accepts our burning and long-pending demands in writing, along with a definite time-bound assurance for their implementation," he said.

The release said the participants in the march are farmers, agricultural workers, Adivasis, workers, women, youth and students from the district. Groups taking part include All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Students' Federation of India (SFI) and Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch (AARM), it added. PTI COR BNM