Farmers protest at collectorate over NTPC land compensation

Noida: A group of farmers under the banner Sanyukt Kisan Morcha held a protest march from Moserbear roundabout to Surajpur collectorate on Monday, raising demands that included increased compensation and 10% developed land. They announced plans for an indefinite protest starting Oct 14. Farmers said their dissatisfaction stems from govt not making public the report addressing their concerns, despite a high-level committee's intervention earlier this year.Rupesh Verma, district president of All India Kisan Sabha noted that govt had acquired land from them for various projects, including the NTPC in Dadri."The farmers are seeking increased compensation for these acquisitions. Our month-long protest in Feb ended after govt formed a high-level committee to look into their demands. However, dissatisfaction remains as the report submitted on Aug 31 was not made public," said Verma.Farmers actively campaigned in several villages, including Junpat, Sakipur, Ghodi Bachchera, Thapkhera, Etcher, among others, raising awareness about their rights and demanding the report be made public.A group of Noida farmers also joined the protest in Surajpur on Monday.Ashok Chauhan, spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union Manch, said there is a need for fair compensation and the allocation of developed land to farmers from all 81 villages affected by land acquisitions. "On Oct 10 we organised a symbolic protest at Noida Authority office. This is in continuation of our protest demanding increased compensation. All farmers should be given 64.7% increased compensation and 10% developed plots," Chauhan said.Meanwhile, DM Manish Kumar Verma said that the administration is engaging in talks with the farmers to resolve the protest.
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