Indian farmers stay neck-deep in ground in unique protest against land acquisition

At least 50 farmers of Jaipur in India buried themselves neck-deep in the ground to protest the Jaipur Development Authority's move of acquiring land in their village for a housing project. The protesters named the unique protest "Zameen Samadhi" and staged it on October 2 with participation of both men and women of Ninder village of Jaipur, reports The Hindu Business Line. Recently the JDA decided to acquire just over 540 acres of land for a development project. "We are against the acquisition and demand a fresh survey of the land. We had a meeting with the JDC commissioner today and the talks will resume tomorrow," Nagendra Singh, convener of the Ninder Bachao Kisan Yuva Samiti, told the Press Trust of India (PTI). He also said that only around 110 acres of land had been surrendered by the farmers and residents. "Fifty-one members participated in the relay protest today burying themselves neck-deep in pits and this will continue till our demand for a fresh survey is met," he said. The farmers have dug up at least 40 pits and one trench with their protest continuing day and night. Elderly women sit on chairs placed in the trench whereas male members stand or sit in the pits.