Farmers threaten stir for new claim

A day after farmers in Noida said they had suspended their agitation for three months, and during this period they would not stall any real estate projects in the city, hundreds of farmers held a meeting today and decided to launch an agitation soon.

A day after farmers in Noida said they had suspended their agitation for three months, and during this period they would not stall any real estate projects in the city, hundreds of farmers held a meeting on Sunday and decided to launch an agitation soon.

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"We have heard of the meeting. These are the farmers whose land was acquired before 1997. We started making the allotment of the developed plots after 1997. Before this, we used to provide reservation to farmers in housing schemes. Now, those whose land was acquired before 1997 are also seeking plots," said a senior official.

Farmers held their meeting at Nithari and those from other villages refused to accept Saturday's agreement. Around 150 villagers from Nithari, Chaura, Atta, Morna and Baraula villages attended the meeting. "Our land was acquired at Rs 4 to Rs 9 per sqm. We should also be given developed plots," said Ajab Singh of Nithari.

"Eleven villages, whose land was acquired prior to 1997, will hold a panchayat on Tuesday at Chhalera," Singh said. Farmers also differed on the abadi land issue solution. Kisan Sangarsh Samiti members had stated on Saturday that the authority had agreed to leave the abadi land as it existed today and withdraw court cases against farmers for unauthorised occupation.

"Only a few persons have unauthorised occupation. Benefits to these few have no meaning for the whole village," said Singh.

Meanwhile, 10 teams have been formed in Noida to solve the abadi land issues. From Saturday, the teams started visiting villages. By August 15, the survey will be completed. By then all abadi land issues are expected to be solved.