Uttar Pradesh: Debt-ridden farmer climbs up tree near CM’s residence

A debt-ridden farmer from Lalitpur district created a flutter near chief minister’s high-security Kalidas Marg residence in Lucknow on Friday morning when he climbed atop a tree demanding loan waiver and a house under Below Poverty Line scheme.

A debt-ridden farmer from Lalitpur district created a flutter near chief minister’s high-security Kalidas Marg residence in Lucknow on Friday morning when he climbed atop a tree demanding loan waiver and a house under Below Poverty Line (BPL) scheme, police said.

He even threatened to hang himself when cops tried to bring him down, said circle officer of Hazratganj, Abhay Mishra.

The entire drama lasted for over four hours and the man-- Ram Raj of Lalitpur’s Bathlapur village-- was brought down by a team of fire service personnel using hydraulic ladder after assuring him to get his demands fulfilled, Mishra said.

“Ram Raj climbed up the tree and started shouting out his demands following which locals and passer-by gathered in large number around the spot,” said Mishra.

Ram Raj said he had come to Lucknow to meet senior government officials to get his house built under BPL scheme.

“Despite multiple efforts, I was not able to avail the house under the state government’s BPL scheme due to lackluster approach of lower rung staff,” he said adding that “I was left with no other option but to climb a tree after failing to meet the concerned authorities.”

He said he had a debt of ₹ 1.5 lakh and his family was going through extreme hardship. He also demanded waiving off his loan.

Mishra said Ram Raj has been assured of help and district authorities of Lalitpur have been informed about the case.