UP govt refuses to bow to farmers ''illogical'' demands

Lucknow, Aug 13 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government has termed the the Ghodibachheda village farmers violent demonstration at the office of the Greater Noida as ''unfortunate'' and said the incident was incited by some anti-social elements .

The state government spokesperson said the people of the Ghodibachheda village held a demonstration at the Greater Noida office, which turned violent and certain mischievous elements indulged in stone throwing and firing on the police injuring several policemen, including the SSP.

Initially, the police force and the administration tried to persuade the demonstrators, but they indulged in violence following which the police used force to protect life and property.

The state government spokesman said strict action would be initiated against those trying to disturb law and order.

According to the spokesman, the compensation of the land was agreed between the previous government and the farmers. Therefore, the demand of giving compensation on the basis of present rates was ''illogical''.

The spokesman said the land of the Ghodibachheda village was acquired by the Greater Noida Authority during the previous government regime in 2006 and its compensation at the rate of Rs 402 per Sq m was distributed among the farmers with their consent.

According to the spokesman, a committee headed by the commissioner Meerut division was formed to fix the compensation amount in this area. On the basis of its recommendations, it was decided that whichever land was acquired by the Greater Noida authority after April 1, 2007 would be provided a compensation at the rate of Rs 850 per Sq m. There was no dispute in the villages where the land was acquired according to this decision and the farmers were totally satisfied, he added.

He said the residents of the Ghodibachheda village were now demanding that they should also be given the compensation according to the new rates applicable after April 1, 2007. which is ''illogical.'' It was clear that some mischievous elements were trying to disturb the peace so that their demands could be accepted. But, the state governemnt would not allow these elements to achieve their nefarious designs.

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