NHRC seeks report on compensation to displaced people in Dadri

New Delhi, Sep 22 (UNI) Taking cognizance of complaints filed by former Prime Minister V P Singh about unprovoked police action on protesting villagers of Ghaziabad District opposing Reliance Power Project in Dadri, the NHRC today sought within six weeks a report from the UP Government about its compensation plan for people displaced due to the project.

The Commission asked the state Chief Secretary to furnish the details of the plan that has been formulated for compensation and rehabilitation of the people dislocated from their habitats or lands for mega development projects.

It has also sought a factual report from the Chief Secretary and DGP and also a response from the DM on the allegations of police highhandedness on the protesting villagers on July 7 and 8.

On September 19, Mr Singh submitted a petition in the Commission alleging another incident on September 17 in which more than 15 people including women and senior citizens were serious injured.

The petitioners had requested NHRC to send a team to inquire into the events of July 7 and 8 and of September 17 to fix the responsibility and initiate action against the police officials found guilty.

NHRC has also forwarded copies of all the complaints and the fact finding report received by it to the DGP UP, DM Ghaziabad and SSP concerned to personally look into the matter and submit a detailed report within four weeks.

While considering all the petitions submitted before it, NHRC observed that, ''it appears that the genesis of the alleged incidents, as per the allegations in the complaints, lies in the acquisition of land and habitats of the villagers for a mega Power Project''.

The complaints raise a serious issue relating to relocation and rehabilitation of the people displaced by the project, it added.

According to the complaints, police lathicharged, opened fire and pelted stones on the villagers of Ghaziabad District who were protesting against acquisition of their farmlands and habitats in the name of Mega Development Project.

As per the petition submitted by Justice Rajender Sachar, former President PUCL, and others, the land of seven villages in Ghaziabad district measuring about 2500 acres was acquired by the State for the Reliance Power Project in Dadri.

The affected villagers were awarded a meager compensation of Rs 150 per sq yard for their lands though the prevailing price was somewhere around Rs 500 sq yard.

It was alleged that when the villagers on realising the unfair deal meted out to them indulged in protests, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav assured them that they would get compensation at the rate of 300 per sq. yard.

However, the promise was not fulfilled. Upon which the villagers resorted to peaceful protest. During the course of protest, they were beaten by the police injuring several villagers.

Two more petitions by Dr Vandana Shiva, Founder Director, Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, New Delhi and by Ms Meera Singh Sengar, State General Secretary, UP Mahila Congress (I) Committee were also received by the Commission in this regard.

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