Uttar Pradesh farmers call off agitation

TAPPAL - The farmers in Tappal town of Uttar Pradesh’ Aligarh district withdrew their agitation Tuesday after the state government enhanced their compensation for land acquired for the Yamuna Expressway project.

The government also released from detention the farmers’ leader Rambabu Katelia, as demanded by the protesters.

District Magistrate K. Ravendra Naik said Rambabu Katelia has been released from the jail.

The compensation amount has been increased from Rs.449 per square metre to Rs.570 per square metre.

A relief of Rs.10 lakh each will be given to the family members of the two farmers killed in the violence Saturday. The amount has been enhanced from Rs.5 lakh announced earlier.

The government has announced maximum relief to the farmers in view of their emotional attachment to their land, Naik said.

On Aug 14, two farmers were killed in police firing as the protesting farmers resisted the arrest of Rambabu Katelia. In the clash, a police constable was also killed.

The farmers torched the Jattari and Bajna police posts when the police attempted to arrest the farmers in a bid to crush the agitation.

The farmers were demanding higher compensation for their lands acquired for the Yamuna Expressway. The farmers had earlier agreed to a compensatory price of Rs.449 per square metre of their land, but later started demanding money at the rate Rs.880 per square metre on par with what was paid to Noida farmers.

The farmers destroyed the site offices and walls erected to construct the expressway. Work on the expressway came to a halt as the farmers demanded the immediate release of Katelia.

They also demanded Rs.25 lakh compensation to the families of the victims killed in the firing.