Farmers Movement Archive

Muzaffarnagar farmers stage protest to seek fair compensation for their land acquired for road

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Farmers on Friday staged a massive protest in Titawi area here to press for equal circle rate in determining compensation for their land acquired for construction of the Panipat-Khatima road. A huge police and PAC force was deployed at the spot to prevent the situation from going out of control. The farmers dispersed after prolonged talks between farmer leaders and officials, who said they would look into their demands. Farmers, led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), demanded equal circle rate for every farmer and compensation for their tubewells, standing crops and trees on their farm fields acquired for the road. According to official sources, 300 hectares of land was acquired last year and 80% of the farmers were compensated. The Panipat-Khatima state highway will be passing through Muzaffarnagar and neighbouring Shamli district. Additional district magistrate (enforcement), Amit Singh said," An assessment for farmers' tubewells and trees will be conducted again but there are no rules to give compensation for the standing crops sown after land acquisition. But we are trying to solve this issue. Equal circle rate for every village can't be given because every village has a different circle rate." On Thursday, farmers had staged a dharna outside Titavi police station. BKU's media spokesperson Dharmendra Malik said, "Administration has acquired about 300 hectares of land from farmers. But not enough compensation has been given. We want equal circle rates for all the acquired farm land. National president of BKU, Naresh Tikait has called this dharna and it will continue till farmers' demands are not met." Raju Ahlawat, BKU's Muzaffarnagar unit general secretary, accused the administration of damaging farmers' crops. He said, "Compensation for crops and trees, which are standing on farmers' fields should also be paid."

The Times of India

2020-09-12

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