Spring returns to the earth, which should be the season of sowing hope, but in Shuangsheng Village, Jianhua Town, Kailu County, an extraordinary scene of spring plowing obstruction was staged. The fact that local village officials forcibly prevented farmers from farming on the grounds that the land contract fee was undetermined not only aroused widespread social concern, but also exposed the potential conflict between the operation of power in rural areas and the basic rights and interests of farmers.
The cause of the incident was that the village committee suddenly raised the land contract fee, which increased by 200 yuan per mu of land, and the total amount surged by more than one million yuan. This is undoubtedly a heavy burden for farmers who depend on the land for their livelihood. In particular, those farmers who work hard, who have earned a good harvest with sweat and hard work, are at risk of losing their land because of a change in paper.
The complication of the problem lies in the fact that the village cadres involved did not provide a reasonable explanation for the fee increase, let alone go through sufficient democratic consultation. They have even taken extreme measures, such as impounding farm vehicles, to directly prevent farmers from carrying out spring ploughing operations. This kind of rude behavior not only harms the basic interests of the peasants, but also seriously infringes upon their legitimate rights and interests.
One of the highlights of the incident was the intervention of the deputy secretary of the town party committee, a post-90s official whose original duties were to supervise and fight corruption, but whose handling was more hawkish. He explicitly supported the practice of village officials, and even went to the scene to ensure that the peasants could not plow. This behavior raises the question of whether he is fulfilling his duty to protect the interests of the people, or is he carrying out an authoritarian order.
The coping strategies of the farmers reflect their rationality and calmness. In the face of unreasonable treatment, they did not choose to resist violently, but sought to protect their rights and interests through legal means. Their behavior not only shows the awakening of legal awareness, but also shows the maturity and wisdom of farmers in the new era.
This incident is a microcosm of the current contradiction between economic development and social justice in rural areas of the mainland. With the deepening of the market economy, the economic value of rural land has become increasingly apparent, and how to find a balance between protecting the interests of farmers and promoting economic development has become an urgent problem to be solved.
The incident also reminds us of the need for more transparency and fairness in grassroots governance. Only when the actions of the local government can be effectively supervised can the rights and interests of farmers be truly protected. At the same time, strengthening legal education for peasants and raising their awareness of their rights is also a key part of promoting social progress.
With more media attention and the involvement of social forces, we have reason to believe that the farmers in Shuangsheng Village can be treated fairly, and this incident can also be a result of promoting rural reform as soon as possible.