SP calls for scrapping expressway projects

The Samajwadi Party (SP) will hold statewide demonstrations on August 26 to demand the scrapping of two mega infrastructure projects in Uttar Pradesh the Yamuna Expressway and the Ganga Expressway.

On the same day,farmers of Aligarh,Agra and Mathura districts,whose land is being acquired for the Yamuna Expressway,have planned a demonstration at Parliament to demand enactment of a new land acquisition law to replace the existing century-old law.

Akhilesh Yadav,SP state president,said party leaders at all district headquarters would submit a memorandum to the district magistrates,demanding scrapping of the Yamuna and Ganga Expressway projects and an end to acquisition of the land of farmers without their consent.

He said projects which were against the interests of farmers should be scrapped and police officers responsible for the firing on the farmers in Aligarh district on August 14 brought to justice.

Commenting on BSP chief and UP Chief Minister Mayawatis decision to support the farmers protest at Parliament,the SP leader said it was a last-ditch effort by Mayawati to drive a wedge between the farmers.

Cong to support Aug 25 UP bandh

The Congress on Monday decided to extend its support to the statewide bandh in Uttar Pradesh on August 25. The bandh has been called by Kisan Sangharsh Samiti,which is demanding higher compensation for the land acquired from farmers for hi-tech city to be developed along the Yamuna Expressway.

State party president Rita Bahuguna Joshi instructed party district presidents to ensure support for the bandh but in a peaceful manner.

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Earlier in the day,AICC general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh Digvijay Singh held a meeting with about a dozen farmers from Aligarh at the Congress headquarters in Delhi.

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