U P Govt. orders judicial probe into violence during farmers’ agitation

LUCKNOW/ALIGARH/MATHURA - The Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to conduct a judicial investigation into the violence that erupted during the 18-day long farmers’ protests in Aligarh and Mathura Districts over more compensation for farmland acquired for a township project along the Delhi-Agra Expressway.

Earlier on Sunday, the farmers continued their violent protest in Aligarh.

Over 2,000 farmers undertook a march towards the Tappal police station, and protested against the Mayawati Government demanding higher compensation for their acquired land.

The farmers in Mathura burnt vehicles and other public property on Saturday.

Furious over not being compensated for land taken from them to building an expressway, a large number of farmers put on fire various vehicles and damaged other public property.

The news of the clash between farmers and police spread by hearsay and soon farmers from neighbouring villages of Mathura also joined in.

The infuriated mob set afire the police outposts at Bajna and Bhanharhi localities, a post office on Mathura-Aligarh border and the camp office of a construction company.

The government had acquired land for the project in 1,192 villages from four districts of the State.

The total cost of the project is worth over Rs 90 billion. (ANI)