Thaindian News

Greater Noida, May 11 (IANS) Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who came here early Wednesday on a surprise visit, met the farmers agitating against land acquisition. Meanwhile, the district administration said it could not stop anyone from protesting in a peaceful manner.

“The entire village is thankful to Rahul Gandhi who has come to share the sorrows of the farmers. The villagers were subjected to ill-treatment by the barbaric police force… but after his arrival, we are enthusiastic,” said Kirpal Singh Malik, a farmer in the Bhatta Parsaul village here.

Police and agitating farmers here fought a pitched battle Saturday, in which four people, including two policemen, were killed.

The district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, Deepak Agrawal, sustained bullet injuries.

The farmers are agitating for higher compensation for land acquired for constructing the 156-km Yamuna Expressway, linking New Delhi with Agra, that is expected to cut short travelling time by one hour.

Police had then imposed prohibitory orders, banning the assembly of more than five people and restricting media entry.

Caught unawares, the district administration Wednesday said it could not stop anyone from coming here as the prohibitory orders were revoked Tuesday night.

“Section 144 of CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code) enforced earlier had already been revoked last night. We did not specially facilitate Rahul Gandhi’s visit, but in a democracy, everybody has the right to present his grievances in a peaceful manner,” said Sheetal Verma, the acting district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar.

“The administration is keeping an eye on the farmers’ dharna,” she said.

According to a state Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi reached the village at 6 a.m. He left his vehicle on the main road and then travelled on a motorbike to Bhatta Parsaul.

“He reached the village early morning to avoid being stopped by state police. He met agitating farmers and gave a patient hearing to their problems. He visited the houses of some farmers and conversed with women and youths,” he told IANS.

With the state going for elections next year, the Congress is making all efforts to reach out to the masses and farmers comprise a substantial vote bank in Uttar Pradesh.

While Chief Minister Mayawati and her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have criticised the agitation, saying it is “based on misinformation and politically motivated”, opposition parties - the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress - have extended support to the affected farmers.