Nagpur: Dr V M Bhale, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), faced agressive Shiv Sena workers in the hall of College of Agriculture on Monday and assured that he would make all efforts to continue existence of Maharajbag zoo.
Prakash Jadhav, former MP and Leader of Shiv Sena, led the workers, who staged demonstrations in the premises of the college raising slogans like ‘Nahi Chalegi Nahi Chalegi Tanashahi Nahi Chalegi’, ‘Aitihasik Prani Sangrahalaya Maharajbag Bandh Hovu Denar Nahi’, ‘Jai Shivaji Jai Bhavani’ etc. saying that they would never allow this historic zoo to close down.
It may be mentioned here that Central Zoo Authority, Delhi, has cancelled recognition of this zoo in the first week of this month in view of the zoo authorities not following conditions/suggestions by it to improve the zoo.
Shiv Sena workers had also launched agitation two days ago, when Dr Bhale had assured to talk to them on Monday. Accordingly, he called the agitationists in the hall for discussion on the issue. Jadhav blamed the authorities for not taking any developmental activities for making improvements in this green lung that is situated centrally in the city. He pointed out that PDKV was not taking any action to remove enroachments on its land at Bajaj Nagar, Kachipura and other areas. He asked as to how it could afford to leave a piece of two acre land in between Mor Bhavan terminus and new road towards Maharajbag.
He drew the attention of Dr Bhale towards VNIT and RTM Nagpur University having lands at different places but
they are alert in not leaving even a small piece. He charged that there was a conspiracy to reduce the land of zoo for commercial purpose. Alleging that the administration is in deep slumber, Jadhav suggested the authorities to capture the encroached land at Kachipura and develop a mall there to directly sell organic agricultural commodities of the farmers to bring them financial benefits.
Dr Bhale assured that he would convene a meeting of the executive council to discuss this issue. The zoo authorities would even go to Delhi to meet higher authorities of CZA, he said seeking cooperation of Shiv Sena leaders in this regard. PDKV would also make efforts to fulfill the conditions laid down by CZA, he added. A meeting has been called with Shiv Sena leaders in the first week of January 2019 to discuss progress made by then and ways to save Maharajbag zoo.
Later, workers staged demonstrations at Maharajbag Chowk disturbing traffic and courted arrest. A police bandobust was made at the chowk. Kishor Kumeriya, Corporator, Raju Tumsare, Hitesh Yadav, Nitin Tiwari, Chintu Mahajan, Sunil Banerjee, Munna Tiwari, Ram Kukde, Rajesh Kanojiya, Sanjog Rathod, Akshay Meshram, Asdhish Hadge, Sandip Patel, Abbas Ali, Vishal Kurke, Guddu Rahangdale, Sanjay Bagde and others took active part. Ajay Taywade, Pranay Parate, Dilip Mohitkar, Milind Raut of Agro-Vet Agro-Engineers Pariwar extended active suppport to the agitation.
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