New Delhi:
The recent violence over land acquisition and police atrocities in Greater Noida has "pained" the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which said it will send an investigation team to the affected villages.
The panel said it has received complaints about police trespassing into villagers' houses, outraging women's dignity and mercilessly lathicharging farmers demanding more compensation for their land acquired for a road project.
"The NHRC is pained to see complaints and media reports alleging large-scale violence in village Bhatta and other nearby areas in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh leading to loss of life and injuries to several persons, including the officers on the state government's duty," it said.
In view of the "gravity of the situation", the commission has decided to depute its investigation team for conducting an on-the-spot inquiry in the matter, the NHRC said.
"In several complaints received in the Commission, it has been alleged that the police mercilessly lathicharged the farmers who were demanding more compensation for their land which is being acquired by the state government.
"Incidents of stone-pelting of government officials by the agitating farmers, and the police personnel trespassing the villagers' houses, outraging women's dignity and burning crops were alleged. Allegedly, fire was also exchanged between the police and some agitators," it said in a statement.
Four persons, including two policemen, were killed in farmers-police clashes and firing in Bhatta-Parsaul villages on Saturday last. Political parties have condemned the police action while villagers alleged that most of the male residents have either gone missing or are in hospitals.
The Opposition has flayed the UP government for its land acquisition policy while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who sat on a dharna at the village before being arrested late last night, alleged that the government has "unleashed atrocities on its own people."
The incident has reopened debate over acquiring land for development projects in the country, even as the Centre today said it has plans to introduce a bill in this regard in the next session of Parliament.