Yamuna Expressway protests: UP govt withdraws cases against 24

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government decided to withdraw cases against 24 farmers registered during the agitation over acquisition of land for Yamuna Expressway in Tappal Jikarpur villages in 2010.

During the farmers' agitation in Tappal Jikarpur, on the border of Mathura-Aligarh, criminal cases were filed against some "innocent" farmers which have been found to be fake in investigations, a spokesman said.

It has also been found that force was used on the farmers agitating in support of their demands and later criminal cases were also slapped on them, the spokesman said adding that it has also been found that they (farmers) were subjected to unnecessary harassment.

The inquiry has found that the violent incidents in Tappal does not amount to criminal violence therefore the cases against 24 farmers are one-sided.

The government has found that farmers' agitation was to guard their interests and after detailed deliberations the government has decided to withdraw the cases and orders in this regard have been issued, the spokesman said.

On August 14, 2010 two farmers died in police firing on farmers resisting the arrest of their leader Rambabu Katelia. A police constable was also killed.

The farmers were demanding higher compensation for the land acquired for the Yamuna Expressway project, for which land was being acquired from five villages -- Jikarpur, Kansera, Tappal, Siyarol and Jahangarh.