Disgruntled farmers stop work at construction sites

Protests by farmers in Greater Noida West (Noida Extension) refuse to die down. On Thursday, about 500 disgruntled farmers from 39 villages took out a protest march and disrupted construction work of various real estate projects. Vinod Rajput reports.

Protests by farmers in Greater Noida West (Noida Extension) refuse to die down.

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On Thursday, about 500 disgruntled farmers from 39 villages took out a protest march and disrupted construction work of various real estate projects.

The protesters, riding sports utility vehicles, motorbikes and tractors, stormed into the construction sites and forced labourers and other staff to stop work.

The farmers were seeking resolution of their land-related demands. They told the developers not to resume the housing projects till their demands were fulfilled by the Greater Noida authority.

The farmers have been demanding 64% hike in compensation and 10% developed plots as per the Allahabad High Court's order in October last year.

Besides, they want the regularisation of abadi land in their villages.

The farmers alleged that authority chief executive officer (CEO) Rama Raman had not met them to solve disputes over abadi land. Only 15% of farmers in 39 villages have so far received the hiked compensation.

"Another sensitive issue is related to ensuring freehold title to all 39 villages. The CEO does not address our grievances. He has refused to talk to us. So, we will not allow any work till the authority resolves all our issues," said Manveer Bhati, a farmer leader from Bisrakh village.

The farmers have threatened to block traffic on the Yamuna Expressway if Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav does not meet them on Sunday in Greater Noida.

Yadav is likely to attend the Indian Grand Prix to be held at the Buddh International Circuit on October 28.

"We have asked the chief minister to look into our issues. If he does not meet us or the administration does not let our delegation meet him, we will disrupt traffic. Our protest may turn violent if the government does not address our issues," said Ajai Pradhan, another farmer leader.