Bijnor villagers standing in knee-deep Ganga water for a bridge, embankment

BIJNOR: The mighty Ganga changes its course every monsoon . With it, the fate of thousands of farmers also changes, for worse. The river, swollen with rain water, swallows thousands of acres of farm land on the fertile northern plains, apart from submerging houses and claiming lives mostly of women and children.

Last year, a group of ten women, who were crossing the river on a rickety boat to fetch fodder for their cattle in Bijnor , were washed away. They didn’t know how to swim.

The locals in the area were demanding a bridge for long. They fished out the bodies, brought them home and held protests. But to no avail.

Now, as the river swelled again, people of the area decided to hold a unique protest to attract the government attention to their plight. Demanding embankments and a bridge, locals of 25 villages in Bijnor have started what they called ‘jal satyagrah’. Over 100 villagers are taking turns, on daily basis, to stand in knee-deep water of the river as part of the protest in Daibalgarh village of Bijnor.

The agitation has also given hope to women, who cross the river for fodder.

According to 50-year-old Sunita Devi, “Women are helping hands of families. They go out into fields across the river to fetch fodder for the cattle. Unfortunately, most of them do not know swimming. Last year, ten women drowned in the river when their boat capsized.” The decision to hold the protest was taken at a ‘mahapanchayat’ on Monday.

The protestors said that the agitation was indefinite. A heavy police force was deployed on the bank of the river. Administrative officials, including sub divisional magistrate Brajesh Singh were also present there.

Farmers’ outfit Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) also extended its support to the stir.

Several BKU leaders, including state general secretary Ram Avtar Singh, district president Digambar also took part in the event. Some leaders from Uttarakhand were also present.

Addressing a gathering, BKU leader Rajendra Singh said, “Ganga has eroded thousands of bighas of agriculture land in the last some years. Seven villages have been displaced from their own land. The river is washing away the land continuously, but administration is apathetic towards the problems of the villagers.”

“The villagers want a temporary bridge on the river to reach their fields, which are located across. Besides, 10km embankment from Balawali to Ravali should be constructed to save the villages from the swift current of the river. We will not budge till administration fulfills our demands,” he added.

Meanwhile, SDM Bijnor met the agitators and assured them to raise their demands before higher authorities. “We are discussing the issue with PWD and irrigation department. I hope will be able to resolve the matter,” he said.