RLD to gherao Parliament on Aug 26

The engagement of farmers with mainstream parties on the issue of land acquisition for an expressway is becoming deeper.

The engagement of farmers with mainstream parties on the issue of land acquisition for an expressway is becoming deeper.

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The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), led by Ajit Singh, announced on Monday it would create a ring round Parliament House (gheraoing) in New Delhi on August 26 in their support.

After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed solidarity with farmers holding out for higher payment for the land they are supposed to part with, the Congress on Monday expressed its support to farmers in Aligarh, who have called a statewide chakka jam on August 25.

Meanwhile, Aligarh Bar Association President Durgesh Chandra Gautam has said advocates will take up farmers’ cases without fees.

The farmers’ other grouse is against the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which allows the state to take their property if such an act is meant to serve a public purpose.

Buddha Project

As a result of the farmers’ stir, the fate of the Buddha statue project in Kushinagar district hangs in the balance. Talking to HT Secretary (Culture) Avinish Kumar Awasthi on Monday said the state would not acquire land without the consent of farmers.