Farmers’ uproar in Aligarh exhibition
– Photo : Samvad
Expansion
Before the inauguration of Aligarh Mahotsav, a ruckus broke out at the exhibition ground. Officials and workers of Kisan Sangharsh Morcha and BKU Bhanu, who had come to meet the Sugarcane Minister with the demand of starting a sugar mill, had a scuffle with the police when they stopped them. Accusing the police of lathi charge and misbehaving with women officials and tearing clothes, they blocked the jail road. Inspector was adamant on the demand of suspension of Lodha.
A large number of farmers along with farmer leader Dr. Shailendra Pal Singh reached the exhibition ground on February 1 at around 12.30 pm. Meanwhile, the convoy of Minister of State for Revenue Anoop Valmiki arrived there. The farmers tried to stop him, but he went beyond the Mittal Gate. During this time, some farmers climbed the barricade and when stopped, there was a scuffle with the police. Blocked the jail road.
ADM City Amit Kumar Bhatt, SP City Mrigank Shekhar Pathak, SSP Sanjeev Suman explained to the farmers that they should move away from the road. Will talk to the cabinet minister regarding their demands. Divisional Commissioner Ravindra, IG Shalabh Mathur have arrived. He also talked to the farmers and explained.
Sugarcane Minister assured to expand the mill
After the uproar, Sugarcane Minister Chaudhary Lakshmi Narayan talked to the farmers in the Neeraj-Shahryar Park outside the guest house of the exhibition ground. Describing the demands of the farmers as legitimate, he assured that the capacity of the sugar mill will be increased soon. Dr. Shailendra Pal Singh told the Sugarcane Minister that the farmers have been struggling for the renovation of the sugar mill for the last six years. The mill has been locked for two years. The government approved money for the sugar mill in the 2023 budget but the work has not started. During this, Ajit Pal Singh, Youth District President Krishna Thakur, District President Sanjay Chauhan, Shravan Baghel, Satyaprakash Chhonkar, Ashok Singh, Sudhir Jadaun, Digvijay Singh, TP Singh, Ravindra Pal Singh, Sushil Kumar Singh, Kaushal Kumar, Robbie Thakur etc. were present.
The farmers wanted to meet the cabinet minister. He was told that first the exhibition should be inaugurated and later he would be made to meet him. They sat on the road raising slogans. Those were removed after persuasion. There was no indecency or lathicharge of any kind. Even if Inspector Lodha or any other police personnel has committed indecency, then action will be taken after investigation. – Sanjeev Suman, SSSP
