About 15000 villagers of southern Saurashtra on Sunday gathered at BJP MLA Dr.Kanubhai Kalasria’s farmers rally to protest Nirma’s cement plant at Doliya in Mahuva area. Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi who is supporting the agitation had sent his envoy Vikas Upadhyay in the rally.

Spearheading the agitation, Dr.Kalsaria said: “Gujarat govt organized Garib Kalyan Melas are not real, but this is the real Garib Kalyan Mela, where poor farmers are gathered to protect their bread.Nirma’s cement plant will have to go from here one day.”

Socialist leader Sanat Mehta said: “Due to mining of limestone on Saurashtra coastline, the coastal area has become saline from Dwarka to Bhavnagr. This movement has to go on larger scale covering entire Saurashtra coast. Nirma’s existing campus will be under water after Kalpsar.The govt has therefore given the company a new land. The fields of farmers are acquired for Narmada canal works, but before they get water from the proposed canal, the government has fixed a deal to supply water to Nirma plant. This is like taking from poor and giving it away to the rich.”

Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia, MP Somabhai Patel, Youth Congress Gujarat Chief Indravijaysinh Gohil were present in the function that continued in rain.

Police was deployed in heavy number to for security of Nirma plant which was located just opposite the public meeting venue.