WHAT HAD HAPPENED ON DAY 1

Demanding implementation of the measures promised by the state government, close to 10,000 farmers and tribals began a two-day march from Thane to Mumbai on Wednesday, eight months after a similar protest. Farmers from Nandurbar, Dhule, Parbhani, Jalgaon, Nasik, Amravati, Buldhana, Pune,

THE ‘100-YEAR-OLD’ PROTESTER

Jilabai from Nandurbar district, who claims to be more than 100 years old, was among the protesters who walked from Thane to Azad Maidan. She was called on to the stage at Azad Maidan where she sang a song criticising the government and shouted slogans. "I will not stop protesting until the state government accepts our demands. We are demanding ownership of the land that has been with us for decades," she said.

‘SOLD HIS GOAT TO TAKE PART’

Sardar Ramsingh from Jalgaon said he sold his goat for ȕ1,400 to participate in the march to Mumbai. Ramsingh said he had five acres of land, but it was acquired by the forest department and he now has to work as a labourer on somebody else's land to earn Rs150 per day. "I had no money to come here. So, I sold my goat and arranged some money. I cannot pay for my child's education, so he had to quit school and work in the field." he said. Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts joined the protest, under the banner of Lok Sangharsha Morcha, a front of various outfits. The farmers and tribals had gathered at the Anand Nagar octroi naka in Mulund since Tuesday night. After marching for close to 19km on Wednesday, they halted for the night in Sion