Scores of farmers to participate in BKU's 'Maha Panchayat' tomorrow

Farmers from 23 villages will participate in a "Maha Panchayat" convened by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) tomorrow in this district over its demand for compensation for land acquired.

BKU sources said the "Maha Panchayat" was convened as the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) was yet to pay compensation for the agricultural land acquired by the then Developmental Authority Improvement Trust (now GDA) in 1960.

BKU Uttar Pradesh vice-president Rajbir Singh told reporters that their protest will continue till the demand for compensation was fulfilled.

The land was acquired at throwaway prices, he claimed, adding that the Supreme Court had issued orders on February 23, 2016 for disbursement of compensation, but the authority was delaying the process on flimsy excuses.

Today, the farmers were called by Chief Development Officer (CDO) Ramesh Ranjan for discussion.

The CDO later said the discussion was positive and that some of the demands of the farmers had been accepted.

Singh, however, said they will not accept any verbal assurance.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Krishna said adequate police force had been deployed in the district in view of the "Maha Panchayat" tomorrow.