Sugarcane farmer dies in UP's Baghpat while protesting over non-payment of dues

Baghpat: A farmer sitting on 'dharna' demanding payment of dues by sugar mills and against the hike in rural power tariffs died in the Baraut town of this district, officials said on Sunday.

Udaiveer Singh was protesting under the banner: 'Kisan Sangharsh Morcha'.

The dharna was being held in the Baraut subdivision of this district since May 21. Singh, 60, died on Saturday following which the district administration announced a compensation of Rs 12 lakh to his family, officials said.

The farmer's death took a political colour with leaders belonging to the SP, RLD and Congress 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 chief minister seeking raising 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.