Farmer on dharna dies in UP; stir intensified

Baghpat (UP): A farmer sitting on a dharna demanding payment of dues by sugar mills and against the hike in rural power tariffs died in Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Sunday. Udaiveer Singh was protesting under the banner: 'Kisan Sangharsh Morcha'.

The dharna was being held since May 21 in Baghpat district's Baraut town, 489 km from state capital Lucknow.

Singh, 60, died on Saturday, following which the district administration announced a compensation of INR 12 lakh to his family, officials said.

The farmer's death took a political colour with leaders belonging to the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and Congress party rushing to the dharna site to pay tributes.

Agitated over the death, farmers intensified their protest, following which the district administration advised the victim's family to write to the state chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, seeking a raise of the compensation amount to Rs 50 lakh, according to officials.

The dharna over the demands of payment by sugar mills and against the hike in power tariffs was still on, officials said.