Over 1,700 farmers have been protesting against erratic land acquisition policy of the Bihar government and stalling construction of IIT bui-lding at Bihta near Patna. IIT-Patna,currently running from polytechnic building at Pataliputra Colony,will be shifted to Bihta once construction at the 500-acre land is complete. Though farmers started their protest on August 19,seven farmers have been on fast unto death since Sunday. Farmers,who had not yet registered their 1,500 acre land including 500 acre land of IIT,to Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority,had been protesting against BIADA paying a Bihta farmer recently Rs 8.29 lakh per katha land (1,361 sq ft) whereas over 5,000 big and small farmers were paid at the rate of Rs 4.5 lakh per katha.
