The Hindu : New Delhi News : Police tear gas agitating farmers

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Thursday, Sep 11, 2008
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Police tear gas agitating farmers

Staff Reporter

Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Police use tear gas against protesting Bharatiya Kisan Union workers near Assembly premises in Delhi on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: At least 10 people were injured when police lobbed tear gas shells and used water cannon to disperse farmers when they tried to enter Delhi Assembly on Wednesday, demanding enhanced compensation for the land notified for acquisition.

The protesters had gathered under the banner of the Jan Sangharsh Vahini and the Bharatiya Kisan Union and were supported by the National Alliance of People’s Movement.

In a statement, Jan Sangharsh Vahini said the police attacked the protesters and arrested a large number of them, including women. The police, however, said only 40 people were detained and later let off.

The farmers have been protesting for the past six months at Kanjhawala village demanding their right to land.

According to them, they are yet to receive any compensation for their land taken over by the Government for the industrial cluster project. The agitators are also demanding compensation at the rate of Rs.75 lakh per hectare, but the Delhi Government is offering only Rs.25 lakh per hectare, the release said.

Meanwhile, BJP general secretary Vijay Goel has condemned the police action against the agitating farmers. He said the police used force without any provocation.

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