Greater Noida: After 2 Months of Protests, Farmers and Administration Reach Agreement, All Farmers Released

After two months of agitation against the Greater Noida Authority, a compromise has been reached between the protesting farmers and the administration on Saturday, June 24. As a result, the agitation has been suspended until July 15.

According to the written agreement, a high-powered committee has been formed to address the release of 33 farmers who have been in jail for the past 18 days, the withdrawal of cases, and prompt resolution of other issues. The committee will consist of representatives from the administration, public representatives, and farmer representatives.

The farmers have stated that if their demands are not fulfilled promptly, they will be ready to resume the farmers' agitation once again.

This agitation, led by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), lasted for 60 days, and on the 61st day, a compromise was reached between the farmers and the authorities.

As per the agreement, a notification will be issued for 10% of residential plots and all other related issues, and a high-powered committee will be formed by the government by June 30. The committee will be chaired by the Minister of Industrial Development, and its members will include the Chairman of the Authority, Chief Secretary (Industrial), CEO of the Authority, Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Nagar, Lok Sabha MP Mahesh Sharma, Dadri MLA Tejpal Singh, Jewar MLA Thakur Dheerendra Singh, and representatives of the farmers.

The committee will be formed at the district magistrate level to make decisions regarding the revised circle rates and implementing employment directives. Matters concerning 40 square metre plots for the landless, hearings on settlements, pending cases in settlements, and other issues at the authority level are expected to be promptly addressed in the upcoming board meeting.

Thirty-three jailed farmers, who were imprisoned since June 6, have been released and joined the protest. Addressing the gathering, Dr Rupesh Verma, spokesperson of the AIKS, presented the proposal of the agreement and announced the suspension of the protest until July 15. He stated that the farmers have not ended their protest but have temporarily halted it based on the assurances given to them. “If our demands are not addressed, a more intense agitation will be launched from July 15, involving village meetings and panchayats to prepare for the movement. The leaders and organisations supporting the protest will be acknowledged and thanked during these meetings and panchayats,” said Verma.

Brahmapal Subedar, vice president of AIKS, said at the protest, “All incarcerated comrades will be honoured in their respective villages. This will strengthen the organisation.”

Describing the agreement as historic, Verma emphasised that the formation of the high-powered committee itself is an important development. “This committee will be able to make decisions on all pending issues of the farmers, and local officials of the government will not be able to evade their responsibilities,” he said.

Jagbir Nambardar, an AIKS leader, stated that this stage is crucial for resolving the issues raised during the farmers' protest. “It provides a platform for resolving the issues, and there is a 90% chance of finding solutions. Regarding penalties on plots, 40 square metre plots for landless individuals, and revised circle rates, local authorities and district magistrates will be able to make decisions at the local level,” he said.

As per the agreement, all cases registered against the farmers will be withdrawn. The district committee of the AIKS is expected to follow up on the implementation and prepare the strategy for future protests.

The farmers and leaders who were released on Saturday include Rupesh Verma, Veer Singh Nagar, Brahmapal Subedar, Nishant Raval, Budh Pal Yadav, Suresh Yadav, Ankit Yadav, Mukul Yadav, Beern Bhati, Netaram, Harvir Bale, Gyan Chand Pappi, Jitendra Bhati, Pravesh Nagar, Ranpal Gurjar, Mohit Mavi, Gavri Mukhiya, Bhim Singh, and Pappu Pradhan.

The agitation under the leadership of the AIKS started on February 7 against the authorities, followed by protests on March 14 and March 23. After the protest on March 23, the announcement of round-the-clock sit-ins was made – starting from April 25.

On April 25, thousands of farmers gathered to demonstrate against the authorities, and discussions were held with the CEO, but no agreement was reached then on any issue. Therefore, as per the announcement, the farmers initiated their round-the-clock sit-ins, and on May 2, a large-scale protest was announced, where thousands of farmers surrounded the government offices.

On June 6, the police had forcibly picked up 33 protesters from the demonstration site. However, a few hours later, under the leadership of women, hundreds of farmers reclaimed the protest site. Contrary to the expectations of the police administration, this movement grew stronger after the arrest of its prominent leaders and has now come to a halt with the agreement.