BJP legislator leading farmers’ agitation assaulted

GANDHINAGAR - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Kanubhai Kalsariya, who is spearheading a farmers’ agitation against his own party’s government for leasing land for a Rs.1,400 crore cement plant being put up by Nirma, was assaulted here Sunday, farmers said.

According to sources close to him, Kalsariya, legislator from Mahua in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, accompanied by his wife was on his way to Dodia village in his constituency when his car was stopped and he was assaulted by a mob of over 100 people.

Both Kalsariya and his wife sustained injuries before they were rescued by people from nearby areas. Both are being treated at a nearby hospital. Police have rushed to the spot.

Kalsariya, a popular BJP leader, is championing the cause of the farmers against his own party government and the industrial giant which is determined to take charge of the large tract of land allotted by the state administration.

The severely salinity-affected area had turned green after the Keshubhai Patel led BJP government constructed four checkdam cum tidal regulatory structures in 1999 at a cost of Rs.60 crore.

But the allotment of land to the industrial unit for mining purposes has seen the local populace revolt as it feels that the limestone mining will see sea-water come in and turn the entire agriculturally rich area saline again.