Thousands of farmers gathered in front of the Presidential Office last weekend in protest of the governments forced expropriation of farmland in Miaoli last month. The farmers requested the authorities to stop favoring industrial developers at the expense of farmers livelihood. President Ma responded that the Executive Yuan will seek a solution with the local government as soon as possible.

After an overnight protest in front of the Presidential Office, farmers prayed to the Master of the Five Grains in early morning.

Farmers from Dapu of Miaoli County have staged protests in Taipei for three times in a month, since the government forcibly took over the lands, even though the rice paddies were ready for harvest in the coming months.

Thousands of farmers from across Taiwan, who are facing the same problem gathered in front of the Presidential Office on Saturday night.

These farmers hope the government can give them a livelihood for the future.

12 farmer representatives were invited to hand the petition at the Presidential Office but they complained the short stay in the establishment which lasted only 2 minutes, despite their 12-hour protest.

According to the Presidential spokesperson Lo Chi-chiang, the President has given clear instruction to Premier Wu, who is to negotiate with the local government in properly handling the matter with sympathy.

Farmers decide to give the government 120 days, hoping that by the time of second harvest of crops, the adminstration would have completed the amendment to the land expropriation articles, which have not been amended for 50 years.

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