Farmers fear police action, accuse political parties

Farmers at Bhatta Parsaul, the epicentre of recent protests against land acquisition, want to live their normal lives again without the fear of police action.

Farmers at Bhatta Parsaul, the epicentre of recent protests against land acquisition, want to live their normal lives again without the fear of police action.

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A section of farmers, who are protesting at Greater Noida demanding better compensation for their acquired land, said that nearly 400 people are still missing from the village after their agitation turned violent due to police action.

The farmers also said that none of the political parties are willing to defuse the issue, thanks to the political mileage they are getting.

"While people are dying, politicians are just looking for votes and want to prolong the issue for their own benefit," said Satyapal Chaudhry, a member of Dehat Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation.

"Fertile and costly land in UP is being grabbed by the state government. It’s loot going on there," said Kishanveer Chaudhry, another member of the group.

"What is more important, luxury housing or livelihood and F1 tracks or food security?" asked noted environment activist Vandana Shiva.

"There should be an immediate freeze on land grab and areas that are fertile and ecologically rich should be declared 'No Go Areas'," said Shiva.