UP farmers to intensify agitation for higher compensation for land acquisition
21 Aug 2010
Emboldened with the support they received from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), western UP farmers affected by the Yamuna Expressway and associated townships have formed a 61-member Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (KSS).
The KSS which was formed yesterday has representation from Gautambuddh Nagar, Agra, Aligarh and Mathura. An 11-member committee headed by farmer leader Manveer Singh has also been formed to hold talks with the state government.
Over 15,000 farmers from over 12 western UP districts attended the BKU panchayat at Tappal in Aligarh yesterday where BKU president Mahendra Singh Tikait said the KSS would bring aggrieved farmers of other districts into its fold to launch a joint struggle.
He said farmers would have happily parted with their land at a lesser rate to support a noble cause like construction of a school or hospital but they would not like to serve the commercial interest of some business houses.
He added that farmers would not accept any compensation less than what was paid in Noida.
The farmers in Noida have been offered compensation at Rs 8-8.80 lakh per bigha, while in other districts farmers are being offered Rs4.50-5.70 per bigha.
