Ganga Expressway protest: 88 SP activists held

Ballia, Jan 15 (UNI) Almost 88 Samajwadi Party (SP) activists, including the newly-elected party's local MP Neeraj Shekhar, were detained here today, while protesting against the Uttar Pradesh government's ambitious Ganga Expressway Project.

Ranting stentorian anti-BSP government slogans, a mob led by Mr Shekhar and former minister Ambika Chaudhary took to the streets and burnt Chief Minister Mayawati in effigy.

Meanwhile, they were arrested in Fefna area for violating the prohibitory orders, police said.

They, however, were later released.

The SP leaders claimed the Rs 40,000 crore Ganga Expressway Project would 'trample' the interest of the farmers.

Meanwhile, Ms Mayawati laid the foundation stone of the 8-lane Ganga Expresssway Project during her 52nd birthday celebrations today.

Principal Opposition SP had been decrying the issue since Mayawati announced this mega project.

The party alleges that the state government was hatching a conspiracy to ruin thousands of farmers by acquiring their agricultural land for the sake of the 1,000 km long Ganga Expressway Project.

UNI XC-ATI VS AKJ BD1715