Earlier this month, farmers from villages near Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow protested against the local government's land reclamation efforts for airport expansion. The protest forced authorities to halt their operations amid allegations of illegal land acquisition and insufficient compensation. Despite the airport's claim of government ownership for over 70 years, villagers argue that the original acquisition notification lacked essential details, questioning its legality. In their fight for recognition and rights over the land they have farmed for generations, the farmers met with local officials to address their concerns directly.
Earlier this month, farmers from villages surrounding Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow staged a protest against the local government's ongoing land reclamation efforts for the airport's expansion. The demonstration compelled the authorities to halt their operations, as the farmers raised concerns about the legality of the land acquisition and the absence of adequate compensation for those affected.
A contingent of local officials, supported by personnel from the Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC) and equipped with construction vehicles, arrived in Rahimabad village with plans to construct a boundary wall. However, they encountered fierce resistance from the farmers, who argued that the land had been under their cultivation for generations and that the reclamation efforts were unlawful. In light of the confrontation, a group of villagers took the initiative to meet with the Lucknow District Magistrate to voice their grievances directly.
The airport authorities are currently working on upgrading infrastructure to accommodate a rising volume of air traffic. This expansion is part of a strategic effort to attract airlines that aim to reduce the turnaround time for their aircraft on the ground. Officials from the airport have stated that the land in question has been under government ownership for over 70 years, following its acquisition in the 1950s.
However, the villagers contest this claim, arguing that the notification issued by the government at that time lacked crucial details regarding the land being acquired. Specifically, they highlight that the notification failed to specify important information such as plot numbers, land area, and the names of the landowners. This absence of detailed information raises significant questions about the legitimacy of the acquisition process, leading the farmers to assert that the land they have long cultivated rightfully belongs to them and that a proper notification of acquisition was never issued.
The situation underscores the ongoing tension between the local community and government authorities, particularly regarding land rights and compensation. As the authorities seek to modernize the airport facilities, the farmers remain steadfast in their demand for recognition of their agricultural history and rightful ownership of the land they have cultivated for decades.
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