Meerut: Farmers from various regions, demanding increased compensation for land acquisition, staged a massive protest on Thursday by encircling the Meerut Development Authority (MDA) office with their tractors. Braving biting cold weather, farmers from Lohiyanagar, Vedvyaspuri, and Gangangar voiced their frustration against alleged unfulfilled promises by officials. The protest saw intense sloganeering and determined participation, with farmers vowing to continue their dharna until concrete assurances were provided.
Farmers’ Demands and Protest Highlights
The farmers are seeking enhanced compensation for their land under three development schemes. While a portion of compensation—amounting to ₹1.25 crore—has already been distributed, farmers claim their demands for either plots or additional monetary compensation have not been met as promised.
- Leaders in Protest: Representatives like Mangat Singh, Satpal Maliyana, Chaudhary Surendra from Vedvyaspuri, Jasveer Singh, Narendra Baisla from Gangangar, and Surendra Bhardana, Dinesh Vakil from Lohiyanagar, led the protest alongside a large number of women participants.
- Farmers’ Resilience: Despite freezing conditions, the farmers set up makeshift tents with tarpaulin, brought bedding, and even prepared food on-site in large cooking vessels.
Dialogue with Officials
MDA Vice President addressed the farmers and attempted to mediate the situation by explaining the current status of their demands. However, the farmers were steadfast in their resolve, insisting on a fixed date and actionable promises before they consider ending their protest.
The farmers accused the officials of backtracking on earlier assurances. “We are ready to stay here until our demands are met. If they had stuck to their promises, we wouldn’t have had to resort to this protest,” said a farmer leader.
Divided Opinions Among Farmers
While some farmers expressed willingness to accept the offered monetary compensation, others are adamant about receiving plots as promised. The lack of consensus among the farmers has added complexity to the issue.
What Lies Ahead?
Officials informed the farmers that the matter had been escalated to higher authorities in Lucknow, with MDA Secretary currently liaising with the state government. Farmers, however, are not deterred and have announced that the dharna will continue until a definitive resolution is provided.
The protest underscores the ongoing tension between development authorities and affected communities over land acquisition and compensation—a recurring issue in many regions. As the farmers’ tents remain pitched, the ball is now in the government’s court to address their grievances swiftly and amicably.
