Varanasi: Police on Wednesday detained nearly 20 farmers protesting at the Dhehri toll plaza on the Varanasi-Azamgarh highway after Purvanchal Kisan Union (PKU) leader Ajit Singh allegedly attempted self-immolation over farmers’ grievances.Police personnel present at the site, however, overpowered Singh and took him, along with several other farmers, into custody to maintain law and order.Singh alleged that the NHAI had acquired farmers’ land for road construction, but several affected landowners had not received adequate compensation. He also claimed that nearly 17 km of the road remained incomplete and, under such circumstances, collection of toll was unjustified. The protesters demanded resolution of land acquisition-related grievances and suspension of toll collection until the stretch was completed.Anticipating the agitation, heavy police and PAC deployment was made around the toll plaza as well as on routes leading from nearby villages to the site. In view of the protest, several farmer leaders and social activists were reportedly kept under house watch to prevent mobilisation. Despite this, groups of farmers attempted to move towards the toll plaza.Officials said security had been tightened following information about the protest. Police stepped up monitoring around the plaza and adjoining routes. Earlier, talks between farmers and officials failed to reach an agreement.Commissioner of police Mohit Agrawal said the protesters were detained to prevent any law and order issue and disruption of traffic movement. All those detained were later released on furnishing personal bonds, he added.
