While the UP police in Greater Noida detained 90 protesters on Monday, violent protests by farmers against forcible land acquisition continued for yet another day.
Police officers have so far claimed that the protesters detained Monday in Greater Noida have not been declared arrested. “We are questioning the detained people in
connection with charges of destruction of public property and vandalism.” A senior police officer added, “We are likely to arrest many of the detained protesters detained today.”
However, the police said the situation in Greater Noida continued to be tense but under control. A senior police officer said the situation in Bhatta Parsaul was under control and that a heavy police force was camping in the area and fresh arrests had been made. The villagers, meanwhile, claimed that over 200 men were missing.
Section 144 has been promulgated in Greater Noida, Agra and other parts of the state where farmers have started agitations. The area around Bhatta Parsaul village of Greater Noida has been sealed off by the Provincial Armed Constabulary and the dharna site declared out of bounds. Tension prevailed in Agra and Aligarh for a third consecutive day on Monday even though no fresh incidents of violence were reported. While political leaders were prevented from reaching these districts and meeting the farmers, the farmers in most of the affected villages fled to escape police action, leaving behind their families.