Farmers to decide strategy at mahapanchayat in Noida

Hundreds of farmers would be taking part in a mahapanchayat to be held in Noida on Sunday to decide on their strategy after the recent Supreme Court judgement upholding the land acquisition in Greater Noida.

The mahapanchayat, to be attended by farmers of 65 villages in Greater Noida affected by the decision of the apex court, is expected to be stormy with a section of the farmers pressing to launch agitation to put pressure on the state and the central governments.

“Some farmers are in favour of moving a special leave petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict while others want to take the battle to the streets,” said a farmers’ leader in Greater Noida on Saturday.

“All options are open for us. A formal strategy will be decided in the mahapanchayat,” the leader said adding that there was “great resentment” among the farmers of the region.

Roping in leaders
The farmers’ leaders are also planning to rope in leaders from the farming community from other parts of the state in a bid to force the government to concede their demands. The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) would also be approached for this purpose, they said.

“Land acquisition is an issue that has affected the farmers in almost every part of the state. We have a common cause and a joint struggle will certainly force the government hand,” the leader went on to add.

The apex court had a few days back rejected the farmers’ petition challenging the acquisition of their lands in Greater Noida by the Uttar Pradesh government between 2006 and 2009.