People's Democracy

AIKS, AIAWU Condemn

Police Brutalities on Farmers

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and the All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) have separately issued the following statement on May 8, 2011 strongly condemning the continuing police brutalities in Bhatta Parsaul Village in Greater Noida on the farmers protesting against unjust land acquisition.  

THE farmers in the region have had a prolonged agitation for more than a year against land acquisition and the movement had been by and large peaceful till now. They have been seeking adequate compensation for the land acquired, rehabilitation and resettlement. However, the state government has been indifferent to their demands and also has been resorting to selling land acquired on the pretext of industrialisation to private builders for real estate purposes. Lakhs of acres of land are being acquired in the name of Yamuna Express Way, Ganga Expressway and various other projects. The Uttar Pradesh government’s land acquisition policy also does not take into account the concerns of farmers’ representatives.  There is no provision for fair compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement as well as a share in profits in the event of change in land use. The absence of democratic consultation with farmers as well as the undue delay in passing the land acquisition amendment act as well as the rehabilitation and resettlement act by the central government is only adding to the problem. The refusal of the UP government to negotiate with the farmers’ who were engaged in a peaceful agitation and address their concerns effectively have brought the situation to such a pass. Instead of negotiating with the farmers and resolving the issue, the government resorted to use of brutal police repression in which two farmers were killed on May 7, 2011. Many farmers have been severely injured in police action. The farmers’ anger at the neglect and extreme police brutalities also led to the unfortunate death of two constables of the PAC. Both the state as well as the central government is responsible for precipitating such a situation.

In the aftermath of the unfortunate incidents, the UP police have cordoned off the village, rounded up many people and also old men and women as well as youth in the village are reportedly facing extreme harassment. Other areas of Aligarh, Mathura and Agra districts are now being subjected to repression. The AIKS and the AIAWU condemn the authoritarian measures and demand that an immediate end to police brutalities be ensured, the government call the representatives of the farmers for negotiations and ensure an amicable settlement of the problems. Wide ranging consultation must be organised immediately for a peaceful resolution of the problem. We express solidarity with the struggles against unjust land acquisition.