Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced a financial assistance package for the farmers injured in the violence during the recent protests in Greater Noida against the Yamuna Expressway project.
While those seriously injured will receive assistance of Rs. 50,000 each, those with minor injuries will each be given Rs. 10,000, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday.
Farmers in the Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh have been demanding more compensation for the land the State government is acquiring to build the Yamuna Expressway.
On May 7, the agitation took a violent turn in the twin villages of Bhatta and Parsaul, when State police allegedly beat up protesting farmers. Two farmers and two policemen were killed in the conflict, while a numbers of others were injured, including the district collector.
The protests stole the political spotlight when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was arrested after joining the agitation for a day and interacting with farmers and their families.