Uttar Pradesh farmers’ continue protest against land acquisition

ALLAHABAD - Farmers from several villages staged another round of protest against the acquisition of their lands by the Uttar Pradesh Government for constructing ane express highway and a thermal power plant.

“We are protesting against the setting up of the new factory (thermal power project). Chief Minister Mayawati had said that farmers are not protesting but we are protesting for the last two months. Fake criminal charges have been filed against us whereas we have been protesting peacefully. We just want employment and compensation,” said Subodh Singh, a local Congress leader.

“Till now our demands have not been met. The protesters are even ready to sacrifice their lives whereas the head of the state is sleeping. She is not bothered about the farmers and the poor. She is only busy filling her personal coffers,” he added.

The farmers also complained that the government is not doing justice to the owners and tillers of the lands and that they would continue their protest till the authorities render justice to them.

“We will protest till the date when the Chief Minister gives us employment and compensation. We will not give our lands. All the farmers can die for that, not a single farmer will leave his land,” said Dharma Devi, a farmer.

The State Government has given the contract for the construction of the 300 megawatts power project to Jaypee Group, a civil engineering company.

At least three farmers were killed when police fired at the group protesting against inadequate compensation against acquisition of land in an area bordering Aligarh and Mathura districts.

The 165-km eight-lane Yamuna Expressway has been taken up by the UP Government to reduce the driving time between New Delhi and Agra. (ANI)