Atleast 14 farmers, including two women, today went on an indefinite hunger strike to mount pressure on the government to support their demands.
Atleast 14 farmers, including two women, today went on an indefinite hunger strike to mount pressure on the government to support their demands.
"It is a do-or-die situation for us now. Let Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati come to us here and talk directly. We will, under no circumstances, hold any talks with any of her officials," leader of the 61-member Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Mandir Singh Tawatia, said today.
The farmers' leader said a pre-condition for holding such talks was that an FIR should be filed on behalf of the farmers pertaining to the violent incidents of August 14.
"We also demand that the Centre immediately initiate concrete measures for redressal of our grievances. It will now have to prove that it is not just offering us lip service but is ready to take necessary action," Tawatia said here, about 70kms from Aligarh.
The farmers have been receiving verbal assurances but "no longer have any confidence on the words of any government officials," he added.
Putting forward fresh demands, the Bharatiya Kisan Union which is supporting the agitation, today raised further the demand for compensation of acquired land.
During a protest meeting, they said the farmers should be given Rs1500 per square metre, which is the highest slab of the rates offered in Noida.
The Kisan Union also demanded that a central commission be appointed to review all problems of the farmers.
Meanwhile, Kanchi Lal, who is on hunger strike, alleged that "some senior district officials had forcibly made me sign documents for acquisition of my land earlier this year."
He claimed he was threatened with dire consequences if he failed to part with his land.
The farmers have been seeking the same compensation as provided in Noida for the land acquired for the Yamuna Expressway project.
Four persons, including a Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) jawan, had died in clashes between agitating farmers and the police in Aligarh.
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