28 on way to protest against arrests of farmers detained

Noida: A day after 11 farmers, including Bharatiya Kisan Sangathan (BKS) leader Sukhveer Pehelwan, were arrested, 28 more farmers rallying in their support were detained when they were on their way to protest outside the Noida Authority’s office on Wednesday.
The protesting farmers arrested on Tuesday were booked for rioting, causing hurt to a public servant, assault and criminal intimidation at the Sector 20 police station, following a complaint by the Noida Authority. They have been sent to 14-day judicial custody, said additional DCP Ranvijay Singh.
On Wednesday, around 100 farmers protested on the road leading to the Noida Authority office against its “repressive policies”. Their demands were the same: disposal of abadi land, grant of 10% plots and 64.7% additional compensation as ordered by Allahabad HC for acquired land. Some of them were apprehended by Phase III police near Gadhi Chaukhandi around 11:30am before they could reach the protest site. They were later released on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 each.
Vikal Yadav, one of the detained farmers, said, “There are many who haven’t got the plots under the farmers’ quota. Several are also waiting for 64.7% compensation.”
Rajwati, a woman who was detained, said their land had been acquired without recognising their ownership. Another woman was taken to hospital after her condition deteriorated during the stir.
The farmer groups told TOI they plan to continue their protest on Friday too.
Meanwhile, three farmer leaders — BKS state president Rajendra Yadav, Satveer Pradhan and Jaiveer Pradhan of Behlolpur — claimed they had been put under “house arrest” by Phase III police when they, along with 16 others, were at a panchayat at Yadav’s house.
However, cops said they had merely gone to the house to convince them not to hold the protest. Phase III SHO Devendra Singh said the farmers had agreed to comply.
A Bharatiya Kisan Union delegation also met additional commissioner of police Akhilesh Kumar to demand that the area outside Noida Authority be demarcated as a protest site. In a memorandum, BKU said farmers should be released immediately, failing which the outfit would hold a massive agitation.