Highway robbery : Death of a Farming Land (Farmers fight for for higher compensation)
PTIPolice in action during a violent clash with farmers from Bhatta Parsaul village, who have been agitating for better compensation for the land acquired by Uttar Pradesh Government, in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.
Agra/Greater Noida, May 8 (PTI) Agitation over land acquisition today spread to Agra with farmers clashing with police and setting ablaze vehicles as the toll rose to four in violence-hit Greater Noida, where police announced a Rs 50,000 reward for a peasant leader''s arrest for "inciting" protests.
Some people also tried to demonstrate in Mathura and Aligarh, but situation remained under control due to "timely police intervention", Director General of Police Karamveer Singh said, while denying reports of fresh trouble in Tappal village in Aligarh.
"Four policemen were injured when farmers turned violent during a protest and indulged in arson" in Chaugaan village in Aitmadpur in Agra, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brij Lal said in Lucknow.
He said irate villagers torched several vehicles and tents at a construction site, demanding higher compensation for the land acquired for the Yamuna Expressway.
The villagers allegedly opened fire, following which police used force to disperse the agitating mob, Agra DIG Aseem Arun told reporters. "There was firing from the villagers'' side, but the police worked with restrain," he said, adding the situation is under control.
Singh said searches were carried out in Bhatta Parsaul and Achchepur villages in Delhi''s suburb Gautam Buddha Nagar which was hit by violence yesterday, and some people have been held. He did not give any specific number.
"Situation in Bhatta Parsaul is under control, heavy police force is camping in the area and some fresh arrests have been carried out," Brij Lal said.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC have been clamped in the district. Area around the village has been sealed off by the Provincial Armed Constabulary and the dharna site made out of bounds.
A protester, identified as Kalu, injured in yesterday''s clashes between police and farmers in Gautam Buddha Nagar died, taking the toll to four in the violence, police said.
Two policemen - Manvir Singh and Manohar Singh - and a farmer Rajveer were killed yesterday in clashes that erupted after police swooped on the village to rescue three state roadways employees held hostage by the farmers since Friday.
The UP police announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for arrest of Manvir Singh Tevatia, who has been leading the farmers'' agitation at Bhatta Parsaul since January 17.
"Tevatia along with around 50 men has been instigating innocent farmers. 99 per cent farmers are satisfied with the new rehabilitation policy of the state," Brij Lal, who visited the village to take stock of situation last night, said.
District Magistrate Deepak Aggarwal, who suffered a bullet wound in his leg, and Senior SP S N Singh, who was also injured along with scores of others, were recuperating. Their condition was stable, officials said.
The police action drew condemnation from BJP, RLD, JD-U, SP and Congress, whose leaders slammed the Mayawati government for the situation.
