Farmers protest near Shiv Nadar varsity over ‘failed promises’
THE UPSIDC HAD ACQUIRED LAND FROM TWO VILLAGES IN 2007 TO SET UP VARSITY
GREATER NOIDA: A group of farmers protested outside Shiv Nadar University (SNU) in Dadri on Friday demanding that the authorities pay an increased compensation for their land acquired in 2007 to set up the varsity.
The protesting farmers parked their tractors outside the university from 11am to 4pm, blocking traffic in that area.
Sunil Fauji, a farmer leader, said that the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDC) had acquired lands from Chithera and Duttawali villages for the development of the private university.
“They had promised jobs to the local youths, development of the villages, and 10% of the developed plot. The land was acquired in 2007 but the promises have not been fulfilled,” he claimed.
“In 2013, after the farmers’ protest, the district administration had facilitated a meeting with the university management. They had agreed to provide increased compensation, free education to the farmers’ children, and job opportunities to the local people. The farmers only got the compensation, but the other demands were not met. We have decided to protest till all the demands are met,” Fauji added.
Pradeep Tripathi, station house officer (SHO), Dadri police station, said, “A police team was deployed at the spot to maintain law and order. The farmers protested peacefully, and it was called off in the evening... The farmers and university officials have decided to call a meeting next Wednesday to discuss the issues.”
A spokesperson from the SNU said, “We are in talks with the UPSIDC, the district administration, and the Chithera village panchayat to amicably resolve the pending issues of land acquisition and compensation with the farmers. In our discussion with the authorities and the group of farmers on September 3, 2021, it has been decided that the farmers will provide all the requisite documents of unresolved cases of compensation to the UPSIDC to reach a resolution soon.”