Former PM V P Singh arrested in Ghaziabad

Lucknow, July 8: Former Prime Minister and Jan Morcha leader Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Jan Dal president Raj Babbar alongwith their 15 supporters have been arrested in Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh, while proceeding to enter the premises of Reliance's Dadri Power project this afternoon.

The arrests came after the farmers staged a demonstration at the project site against the acquisition of land in favour of Reliance.

The protest also saw incidents of heavy stone throwing, in which at least 35 policemen and five farmers were injured.

Mr Singh and Mr Babbar were taken into custody as soon as they entered the UP border from Delhi.

Both the leaders have been kept in housing board guest house at Vasundhara, UP principal secretary (Home) Satish Kumar Agarwal told reporters here.

He informed that they were prevented from proceeding to Dadri in compliance with the Allahabad High Court order issued late last night, in which the UP government had been asked to ensure no outsider entered the 2,100 acre premises of the proposed power project.

The principal secretary (Home) categorically denied the police resorted to firing to disperse the agitating farmers, who were staging dharna at the Dadri site. Mr Singh had given the call to plough the premises of the proposed power project site alleging the land was transferred to Anil Ambani group after displacing the farmers.

In last night development, REGL moved the Allahabad High Court, which directed the UP Government to take preventive action in light of the call.

UP Prinicipal Secretary (Home) Satish Kumar Agarwal said the Allhabad High court order was served to Mr Singh at his Delhi residence in the night itself.

The copy of the order was also served to about 80 farmers camping at the site.

He maintained the police and district administration exercised maximum restraint in controling the situation, although a police inspector had fractured his leg.

Mr Agarwal said now the situation was peaceful and the REGL premises had been freed from the farmers.

He, however, clarified the state government was committed to maintaining law and order in the area and any attempt to violate court order would be dealt with a heavy hand.

Meanwhile, DGP Bua Singh alongwith senior divisional and district officials were camping in Ghaziabad.

UNI