Twin cities gear up for farmers’ strike

In light of the state-wide bandh on August 25 called by the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, the administration and police in Ghaziabad and Noida have made arrangements for any unwanted situation that might arise during the bandh, reports Peeyush Khandelwal.

In light of the state-wide bandh on August 25 called by the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, the administration and police in Ghaziabad and Noida have made arrangements for any unwanted situation that might arise during the bandh.

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The farmers’ group has called the bandh to demand a higher compensation for their land acquired for the Yamuna Expressway project which will connect Greater Noida with Agra.

Ghaziabad Police officials say the areas that are likely to be targeted by the protestors could be NH-24, NH-58, bus stands, railway stations and market areas in the city and rural areas.

Ghaziabad district has been divided into eight zones with each being headed by a magistrate and a Circle Officer (CO), Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raghubir Lal said.

“A massive police deployment has been done in the sensitive areas and we are talking to the farmer groups and the district heads of political parties who are supporting the bandh. They have assured that the protests will be peaceful,” SSP said.

In Ghaziabad, major protests are expected at District headquarters which will be fortified with police and PAC personnel, police officials said.

Gautam Budh Nagar police officials expect major protests near Bisrakh crossing and are apprehensive that educational institutions in Greater Noida and city markets could be forcibly shut down by protestors.

“We have deployed police forces near Administrative offices, Metro stations, Bus-stops, railway stations and other vital installations. Major protests may take place in Ghaziabad,” Superintendent of Police (Rural) Atul Saxena said.