UP govt forms committee, but is it enough to halt farmers’ Delhi march?

Many farmers from Noida and Greater Noida who were set to head to Delhi on February 23 have “postponed” their protest march after the formation of a state government committee to review their demands.  

Farmers in the region have been holding protests at several sites to demand higher compensation and developed plots in exchange for their lands acquired by the Noida and the Greater Noida development authorities. The agitation peaked on February 8 when farmers held a meeting on the highway near Noida’s Dalit Prerna Sthal Park and under the Mahamaya flyover, and announced their plan to march to Delhi. 

The three-member committee will be led by Revenue Board chairman Hemant Rao and also include Meerut divisional commissioner Selvakumari J and Gautam Buddh Nagar district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma. It will reportedly submit its report to the government within three months.

Farmers’ leader Sukhbir Khalifa, who is leading the Greater Noida protests, said, “Today, we had a discussion with the commissioner madam in the presence of the Gautam Buddh Nagar DM. A high-power committee has been formed on our issues… We have postponed our Delhi march.” 

But several protesters disagree. 

Watch.

Newslaundry has been at ground zero since their agitation began. Watch this video on their demands, the police action, and the approach taken by the centre.

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