The SKM further warned that if the Uttar Pradesh government does not address farmers' land rights, the protest would intensify.
Farmers Protest On Noida-Delhi Highway
Protesting farmers have set up camp at Dalit Prerana Sthal along the Noida-Delhi Highway. They have taken this step after being blocked by police from reaching Delhi on Monday. Farmer representatives have said in a statement that government officials have promised discussions with Uttar Pradesh’s chief secretary. For this, farmers decided to continue their protest until their demands are met.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has accused the Yogi Adityanath-led government of neglecting farmers’ rights for over 20 years. This is specifically done by not revising the circle rates and denying their fair compensation for land acquired by the government. The SKM further warned that if the Uttar Pradesh government does not address farmers’ land rights, the protest would intensify. The farmers plans to unite more farmers who are affected by government projects across the state.
The on-going farmers protest , led by farmers from Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states, are part of a larger movement demanding fair compensation for land acquired by the government and broader agricultural reforms. For this reason, thousands of farmers have gathered near the Noida-Delhi border under the SKM’s banner. Hence due to this protests farmers have blocked the traffic and defying police barricades.
As the protests grew, the SKM has announced plans for state-wide protests on December 6 against the privatisation of electricity. Thus since November 25, the participation in the protests has surged, with around 20,000 farmers joining by November 28.
In Punjab, farmer organizations like the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and SKM have been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border since this year February. These farmers are also planning a march to Delhi on December 6. The farmers are now demanding for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Prices (MSP), farm loan waivers, and the withdrawal of police cases against farmers.
Read More: Farmer’s Protest Leads To Massive Traffic Disruptions In Delhi-Noida Ahead Of ‘Delhi Chalo’ March
The key demands of the protesting farmers include fair compensation for land acquired by the government. It also includes reformation of land valuation rates, and the implementation of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. They are also calling for pension schemes for farmers and farm labourers. This legal guarantee for MSP, is all about the justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
The protests have caused significant traffic congestion at the Delhi-Noida border. The protest is having a direct effect particularly along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway near Charkha Chowk and Mahamaya Flyover, despite police advisories. The ‘Delhi Kooch’ (March to Delhi), is a symbolic protest to raise awareness during Parliament’s Winter Session. It has faced a heavy resistance with the deployment of barricades, barbed wire, and container trucks.
Naresh Chaudhry, head of the SKM’s Amroha unit, has criticized the government for not providing fair compensation for acquired land. Hence for this reason the farmers are demanding for an immediate correction to these issues. The SKM has warned that if the government continues to ignore their demands, the protests will escalate with broader participation from project-affected farmers across Uttar Pradesh.
In relation with development, the Supreme Court addressed a habeas corpus petition involving Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farmer leader detained during protests at the Punjab-Haryana border. The Court allowed for future appeals while urging Dallewal to encourage peaceful protests and avoid disrupting public order. The farmers plan to continue their march toward Parliament until December 6.
