Kisan Kranti March: After Bharat Kisan Union, another group takes up issue

Hundreds of farmers from Uttar Pradesh protested against the anti-farmer policies of the central government on the Delhi-Noida border and later moved to Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.

The development comes around six hours after thousands of farmers called off their 'Kisan Kranti Yatra' at the Kisan Ghat after a 10-day march that had started at Tikait Ghat in Haridwar.

"We are protesting the anti-farmer policies of the central government," said Ajab Singh Kasana, the national vice president of BKU (Bhanu), adding that scores of farmers from UP have joined the stir.

He said the BKU (Bhanu), led by Bhanu Pratap Singh, could not join the BKU-led protest Tuesday but has "supported" their fight for the farmers' cause.

The BKU (Bhanu) also wrote a letter addressed to Prime Minister. According to the letter, their demands include formation of a farmers council with farmers included as its members, farmers being given the right to decide the selling price of their crops, loan waivers, Rs 1 crore compensation to family of any farmer who dies in an accident, Rs 5,000 monthly pension to farmers over the age of 60.

"Families of farmers who commit suicide due to the wrong policies of the Uttar Pradesh government should be given Rs 2 crore in compensation. Families of soldiers who die on country's border be given Rs 5 crore in compensation along with a job to one family member and security assurance," the letter read. "The UP government should ensure repairing of streams and canals and power lines. They should also ensure their proper maintenance and water availability in the canals," it added.