01 August,2011 08:16 AM IST | | Amit Singh
Residents allege authorities have assigned local strongmen the task to convince landowners to give up their demands
In a twist to the tale, farmers in Noida are now alleging the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has deputed agents in villages to brainwash the farmers and convince them to give up their demands. Farmers say these 'brainwashers' are local people from the villages, associated with some political party or other authorities, and generally have a sway over the populace.
Kisan Sangharsh Samiti spokesperson Mahesh Awana said, "We have noticed a certain change in the attitude of some farmers. Sometime ago, they were supporting our agenda but suddenly they have changed their mind. We think they are working hand-in-gloves with the authority. These are basically the strongmen of the villages, associated with political parties."
'On our own terms'
Bisrakh village head Ajay Nagar echoed Awana's suspicion. "The authorities have the biggest stake in our village. After the Allahabad court decision, some people started persuading us not to push our demands. We suspect they have been spying on us as well. We have been very while cautious dealing with these people," he said.
Itaidha village head Roop Chand said, "Farmers do want to sell their land as it's no longer fit for cultivation. But we don't want to do it under coercion. We want to do it on our own terms." Meanwhile, amid prevailing uncertainty on the land acquisition issue, GNIDA CEO Rama Raman met the residents of Kherpur and assured them that the matter would be resolved soon. He promised that the abadi land issue would be resolved soon, and six per cent developed land will be provided on the NOIDA pattern. He rubbished all allegations of brainwashing the villagers.
Nearly 1,00,000 people had invested around Rs 1,500 crore in housing projects in Noida Extension so far. The five main villages account for more than 75,000 flats on 1850-hectare land.
