Unnao farmers go on rampage

Lucknow, November 17

Unnao farmers demanding higher compensation for land acquired for the Trans Ganga City Project today resorted to arson, setting ablaze a crusher and plastic pipes lying in the open. The flames engulfed a nearby power substation.

Toxic smoke engulfed the area even as District Magistrate Devendra Kumar Pandey and SP Madhawa Prasad Verma rushed to the spot to pacify the farmers.

Earlier on Saturday, the farmers had clashed with the police, hurling stones. Seven cops were reportedly injured. Among them were an Assistant SP and DSP. The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDC) has lodged an FIR for the “attack” on its project site.

The land was acquired in 2012 but no work could be undertaken with farmers seeking higher compensation. Trouble began on Saturday when a team of UPSIDC officials tried to resume work. Provoked, the farmers threw stones at the JCB machines.

DM Pandey accused “vested interests” of misleading the farmers who had been “adequately compensated”. — TNS