V P Singh arrested on way to participate in rally in Sikandarabad

Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Jan 9 (UNI) Former Prime Minister V P Singh was arrested today while he was on his way to participate in a rally in Bulandshahr's Sikandarabad area to protest against 'illegitimate' acquisition of large swathes of land for the Reliance Power project.

Communist Party (M) leader Atul Kumar Anjan and Justice Party leader Udit Raj were, among others, who were arrested while proceeding for the rally.

The former PM was on his way to address a Jan Morcha rally in Bulandshahr's Sikandarabad area from where he was to proceed for the Dadri Reliance Power project in Ghaziabad, when the arrest took place.

As per his plans, Mr Singh planned to once again demolish the boundary wall of the power project and 'distribute' the acquired land to the farmers. Earlier this month, on January 5 Jan Morcha supporters had pulled down a promotion of the boundary wall of the Anil Ambani promoted Reliance Energy project.

The administration had later rebuilt the wall.

Sensing trouble, the state government had promulgated section 144 of the CrPC today and arrested the Jan Morcha leader in the morning when he tried to enter Noida, after barricading border points and diverting traffic trying to enter the state.

Heavy traffic blockade followed the decision leading to chaos and traffic jams at all state entry points. The condition, however, eased after about 1500 hrs.

Before his arrest, addressing the people on Delhi border, Mr Singh accused the U P government of exploiting the farmers and said his 'gorilla war' against forced land acqusition would continue.

Reminding the people of his January five 'victory', where his supporters demolished the boundary wall of Reliance Energy, the former PM said this was just the beginning.

He also said only the rich, influential and criminal elements had security under Mulayam's rule while the common man got buchtered as the Nithari killings proved.

Mr Singh was later 'rested' at the Sector 38 rest house of the electricity department after he complained of uneasiness.

UNI