Aligarh farmers call off stir after UP Government hikes land compensation

Aligarh, Aug 17 (ANI): Agitating farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh District called off their three-day protest against the acquisition of land for the Yamuna Expressway project late last night after the State Government decided to hike the compensation money for farmers.

Farmers will now be paid Rs 570 per square foot instead of Rs 436 per square foot, as was decided earlier.

The government had also decided to double the compensation for farmers who died in the protests to Rs 10 lakh.

The State Government had earlier fixed compensation at the rate of Rs 425 per sq m for the financial year 2010-11 for Aligarh district. Besides, an ex-gratia amount of Rs 24 per sq m was also being given.

The 165-km eight-lane Yamuna Expressway has been taken up by the UP Government to reduce the driving time between New Delhi and Agra.

The State Government also issued directives for the immediate release of all the farmers arrested during the agitation.

The state government has also decided to set up a high-level committee headed by the Divisional Commissioner to further review all other issues related to acquisition of farm land.

The farmers have been holding demonstrations for nearly three weeks near Aligarh demanding compensation at the rate paid to Noida and Greater Noida farmers.

The protests turned violent over the past three days. (ANI)