LS rebukes UP govt for police firing
The Lok Sabha united to condemn the “forcible” acquisition of land in Aligarh and Mathura districts of Uttar Pradesh and subsequent firing on protesting farmers in an attempt to put pressure on the BSP government in the state.
Asking for a discussion on the land acquisition policy, the political parties wanted the government to reintroduce the land acquisition amendment bill in Parliament in the Session.
Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee said a group of ministers headed by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar was looking into the issue and would come up with a bill whenever it is ready.
“We are considering to bring it to Parliament at the earliest. We have to ensure that interests of our farmers are not jeopardised. They play an important role in ensuring food security,” said Mr Mukherjee.
As soon as the question hour began BJP and SP members trooped into the well and resorted to sloganeering on the alleged firing on farmers in Aligarh and Mathura forcing Speaker Meira Kumar to allow an impromptu discussion on the issue.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav wanted to know why the UP police did not file an FIR in the firing incident.
BJP leader Rajnath Singh claimed that the state government officials were coercing farmers into accepting an agreement on land acquisition.
JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav termed the firing on agitating farmers as a “shameful act”. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda condemned the “brutal killing of farmers” by the state police and demanded immediate arrest of officers who ordered firing on the protesters. Jayant Chaudhary (RLD) accused the Uttar Pradesh government of imposing restrictions on the movement of people’s representatives in the area.
Sudip Bandopadhyay of Trinamul Congress wanted a new law on land acquisition to replace the “antiquated” laws enacted during the British Rule.
Defending his party BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan congratulated the farmers of Aligarh and Mathura for “hooting away” the BJP, SP and RLD leaders who had gone to “express solidarity” with the agitating farmers.
Responding to the concerns of the MPs finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said home minister P. Chidambaram was in touch with the Uttar Pradesh government to ascertain facts about the August 14 firing incident.
“I have been told that talks were on till late Monday evening for an amicable solution and possibly it will be done,” the FM said.
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