Govt orders probe into Greater Noida firing

{image-farmer-police clash nodia_15082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Greater Noida, Aug 15: A probe has been ordered into Wednesday, Aug 13's clashes between agitating farmers and police in Greate Nodia, which is located on the outskirts of New Delhi.

Farmers, demanding revision of compensation for the land acquired by the Uttar Pradesh Government, staged violent protests in which one policeman was killed and several farmers injured. The situation turned ugly as the protesters started pelting stones and also fired with countrymade guns at the police. "We have not attacked anybody, we ourselves ran for our life. Some of our friends are still missing. 8-9 farmers are in one hospital and 2 died in Apollo hospital. We don't know anything about others," said Vijay Mohan, a farmer.

A heavy riot police posse was deployed in the affected area on Thursday, Aug 14 and police picked up some suspected miscreants. "Those who were responsible for disrupting law and order have been identified and till now 19 people have been arrested under various sections. Law and order situation in the area is absolutely normal," said Devender Chaudhary, Commissioner, Meerut zone.

Protests like this are not new, as India has seen many protests in the past over acquisition of the farmlands by the government for setting up of Special Economic Zones or other development works.

Three villagers and a policeman were killed, while over 200 were injured, in a clash outside the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority office on Wednesday, Aug 13. The police said they had to fire to disperse the violent crowd. The incident took place at about 11 am, when the villagers gathered outside the Gnida office started pelting stones.

The farmers were demanding enhanced compensation for land acquired after 2004. A committee headed by Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate Shravan Kumar Sharma had recommended that an amount ranging from Rs 175 per sqm to Rs 200 per sqm be paid for land acquired up to 2006.

ANI