After a long and arduous struggle to get compensation from government, around 25,000 farmers’ hare have given up!
They have written to President Pranab Mukherjee and sought permision to commit mass suicide on Independence Day (August 15).
The appeal has unnerved district officials who fear possible self-immolation by some farmers of Mahavan area whose land has been consumed by the Yamuna River in the Gokul Barrage catchment area.
The farmers have been on a relay fast for the past nearly three weeks to highlight their grievances.
Kisan Sangh, a farmer leader, accused the district authorities of ignoring the interests of the affected farmers.
The farmers want compensation for the land lost at four times the circle rate and immediate withdrawal of cases against farmers, many of whom are still in jail following protests in December on the Delhi-Agra highway.
“We have lost all and want to end our lives. We want the president’s permission,” said another farmer, Roop Singh.
Officials have identified several farmers who need to be compensated. The Allahabad High Court is seized of the matter, and a decision is likely in a few days, an official said.
A report, however, quoted that as per estimates, some 25,000 farmers should get around Rs 800 crore as compensation for around 700 acres of land lost.
The farmers are demanding compensation for damage to standing crops which were submerged as a result of rising level of water in the barrage.
“For more than 16 years now, we have not been compensated for the land acquired from us for the barrage,” another farmer said.
