Farmers in Uttar Pradesh threaten to resume agitation against Yamuna Expressway project

Farmers affected by the Yamuna Expressway project have threatened to resume their agitation if the Uttar Pradesh government fails to respond to their demands by September 5.

In a memorandum sent to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, which has been leading the agitation for more than two years now, has demanded that there should be a parity in compensation rates for all districts through which the expressway passes.

The farmers have demanded immediate release of their leader Manveer Singh Tivatia, who has been in jail for more than six weeks now.

They have also demanded withdrawal of all cases against farmers involved in the agitation, and ownership rights on eight per cent of the land acquired in all townships.

The farmers have decided to observe ‘Matyr Day’ on August 14 each year to mark the sacrifice of three agitating farmers, who died during police firing at Zikarpur village last year.

The Kisan Sangharsh Samiti held a memorial function at village Usrah near Tappal on August 14 this year to mark the first anniversary of the incident.