Aligarh, Mathura:
As India was celebrating 63 years of Independence, the village of Tappal around 80 kilometers from Aligarh resembled a battleground - the epicentre of violence between farmers and the police since Saturday.
There were protests in Mathura as well. Hundreds of farmers were demanding higher compensation for their land that has been acquired for the Yamuna expressway, a 165-km road corridor between Noida and Agra.
The agitation turned violent after police allegedly arrested a leader of the farmers. Three farmers died in police firing while some others were injured. A policeman was also killed in the clashes.
The Uttar Pradesh government has now ordered a judicial probe into theclashes. District magistrate and the SSP of Aligarh have been transferredfollowing the incident.
"We were peacefully protesting but police started firing," said a protesting farmer.
The state government has appealed to the agitating farmers to maintain calm, but the Opposition is already stepping up the heat.
"The policemen who fired at innocent farmers should be arrested immediately," said Mulayam Singh Yadav, President, Samajwadi Party.
"The state government is responsible for the clashes and the Chief Minister should give a clarification," said Rita Bahuguna Joshi, UPCC President.