Cops lathicharge protesting farmers in Gkp, several injured

GORAKHPUR : Several people including women and children were injured when police resorted to lathicharge to control farmers who were protesting against land acquisition by Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA) in Manbela, Gorakhpur on Sunday.

Police, however, deny any lathicharge on farmers who were led by Congress leader Rahul Rana. “We didn’t lathicharge them but dispersed the protesters who assembled unlawfully without any prior permission to stage demonstration in front of the Collectorate,” said SSP Sidhdhartha Anirudh Pankaj.

Earlier, the protesters took out a symbolic shav yatra (funeral procession) of GDA and local administration from Golghar to Collectorate and shouted slogans against the government for its anti-farmerpolicies.Theirleader Rahul Rana slammed the GDA for acquiring land of poor farmers at minimum compensation rate. “The farmers are being harassed by the GDA, which is not giving them adequate compensation for their lands,” said Rana.

In 2004-05, GDA had acquired land of 10 villages spread in an area of over 475 acres at the circle rate of ₹10 per sq feet. Farmers had opposed the meagre amount and launched a movement.

Yogi Adityanath, who was an MP at the time, had supported them and demanded higher compensation.

Even now, as against the present circle rate of ₹1200, farmers are being offered just ₹64 per sq feet for their acquired land thus sparking resentment among them.

We didn’t lathicharge them but dispersed the protesters who assembled unlawfully without any prior permission to stage stir in front of the Collectorate SIDDHARTH ANIRUDH PANKAJ, SSP