"What shall I and my children do after my compensation money runs out? Why can't the government give jobs to the displaced villagers in the upcoming university? We don't want to give up our land but we have no option," said Doman Yadav, 70, of Muzaffarpur village. One of the poorest farmers in the village, Doman has lost all his 3.75 kathha land to the project and has received a cheque for Rs 22,000 as compensation.

Most farmers are unhappy with the compensation amounts and the high-handedness of officials, and are unwilling to part with their land. The government, which has so far acquired 500 acres, has put on hold registration of land in nearly 50 villages for the past two years, angering locals who need to sell part of their land to meet the cost of their children's education and daughters' marriages.

Nitish Kumar's statement after the attack that he was unaware of the people's resentment has enraged them further. "The CM is lying. All of last year, some 600 of us organised demonstrations against the land acquisition. Also, in August 2006, we submitted a memorandum to the CM signed by hundreds of villagers," said Siddheshwar Prasad of Mauhalla village.

Local MLA Shravan Kumar of the JD(U) denied charges of targeting any community but admitted lapses in the compensation process, saying they would be rectified. "There is no trouble for the project," he said. "What option is there except sacrificing fertile land for a noble purpose?"

In the villages around Nalanda, no one seems interested in his lecture.