Peasants whose land was grabbed to make a bypass in Bhuda, Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), have been struggling to demand dignified and adequate compensation. The police unleashed repression on the peaceful protestors, barging into homes and lathicharging people, and arrested peasant leaders as well as Dr. Mohd. Israr Khan, who is also a teacher in Ruhelkhand University. The arrested peasant leaders included Harnandan Singh and Birendra Yadav.
CPI(ML)’s Central Committee member Comrade Krishna Adhikari sat on a 24-hour hunger strike on 25 October to demand immediate and unconditional release of peasant leaders and Dr. Israr. The hunger strike also demanded action against those responsible for the lathi-charge on peasants in Bhuda, and dignified and adequate compensation for those who have lost their land in the Bada bypass. At the end of the hunger strike i.e. on 26th October a huge public meeting was held and a memorandum for the Governor was handed over to the Magistrate.
Peasant leader and Party’s Haryana incharge Comrade Prem Singh Gehlawat also attended the public meeting. He also talked to the administration on the arrests and other demands. He addressed the meeting and said that the Samajwadi Party Govt has thoroughly bared its oppressive methods since coming to power 18 months back. Peasants’ movement cannot be suppressed by jailing their leaders and lathi-charging the peasants in Bareilly.
On 29th October, a massive rally was held under the banner of Vampanthi Morcha (Left Front) comprising CPI(ML), CPI, CPI(M) and other local left groups. The Rally was addressed by CPI District Secretary Rajesh Tiwari and CPIM District Secretary Surendra Singh, CPI State Secretariat member Vijay Shant, CPI(ML) State Secretary Sudhakar, All India Kisan Mahasabha National President Ruldu Singh and State Secretary Ishwari Prasad, JNUSU President Akbar Chawdhury, AISA National President Sandeep Singh, CPIP(ML) Central Committee member Krishna Adhikari, and others. The Rally condemned the land grab and repression by the Akhilesh Government and also the attempts by Sangh Parivar and Samajwadi party to foment communal tension in the area.
Subsequently Dr. Israr and peasant leaders have been released on bail, and the struggle continues. On 28 November, a Convention will be held at Bareilly against land grab, state repression and communal violence.
