VP Singh's Dadri march on Aug 17 banned

Confrontation between the UP government and former Prime Minister VP Singh appears imminent on the issue of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Energy Ltd's proposed gas-based power plant at Dadri in Ghaziabad.

The district administration of Ghaziabad on Sunday banned political activity at Dadri on August 17, when VP Singh's march from Dadri to Delhi is supposed to take place.The march was earlier supposed to take place on August 15.

The former PM is spearheading protest against the acquisition of land for the project, accusing the government of providing farmers' land to the firm at throwaway prices.

The UP police foiled an earlier attempt by VP Singh-led Jan Morcha to march from Delhi to Dadri on July 8. Singh, rebel Samajwadi Party MP Raj Babbar, and several other leaders were stopped at the Delhi-UP border while scores of farmers and political activists were arrested at Dadri.

In an order issued during the midnight of July 7-8, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court directed the UP government to maintain status quo at the Dadri plant site and also provide protection to the assets and the workmen there.

Meanwhile, the UP government has reiterated its resolve to deal with a firm hand any attempt to stage a dharna by any political organisation at the Dadri plant site on August 17. The MP government has also sought additional paramilitary forces from the Centre.

"The state government is duty-bound to prevent any political activity at Dadri and maintain status quo, as directed by the Allahabad High Court," said Director General of Police Bua Singh here today, adding that "come what may, the government will not allow the proposed march to reach Dadri and every possible measure will be taken to maintain peace in compliance with the High Court's order".

Principal Secretary (Home) SK Agarwal said: "There is no justification for opposing the land acquisition as the land was acquired by REL after direct negotiations with the farmers of Dadri."

Agarwal said the state government had committed itself to protecting the assets at the Dadri plant site and the workmen deployed there. On the availability of paramilitary forces, he said Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had written to the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, requesting an additional 20 companies of central paramilitary forces, but so far the Centre has provided only three companies."