BJP backs protesting farmers

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is observing a ?black day? in Uttar Pradesh on Monday protesting against the police crackdown on farmers in Greater Nodia, after the toll from the unrest rose to four on Sunday.

On Sunday, a day after two policemen and a villager were killed in Greater Noida during a violent farmers’ agitation against land acquisition in Greater Noida, one more farmer died, taking the toll to four, as the unrest spread to Agra.

BJP leader Rajnath Singh, whose party demanded immediate talks with the agitating farmers to address their grievances, is expected to travel to villages around Greater Noida and meet the protesters on Monday.

But media reports said the epicentre Bhatta Parsaul village bore a deserted look, after almost all male members fled their homes apparently fearing harassment by law enforcement officials as the unrest took on a political colour.

The areas around Greater Noida remained tense but no violence was reported as about 2,600 police personnel have been deployed and prohibitory orders have been placed with only ambulances being allowed to move in and out around the village.

Earlier the on Sunday, a BJP delegation led by party president Nitin Gadkari met with farmers injured in police action even as the Bhatta Parsaul village in Gautam Buddha Nagar district remained tensed, the unrest spread to Agra which witnessed violence and arson.

Farmers set ablaze vehicles and clashed with the cops at Chalesar and Etmadpur, but the situation was brought under control later.

Several cops were injured Etmadpur, police said.

The farmers have been demanding good compensation for their land acquired by the Uttar Pradesh government and had also taken three state-run roadways employees hostage since Friday.

Security personnel managed to rescue the hostages on Saturday but several farmers, policemen including the District Magistrate (DM) Deepak Aggarwal and an SSP were injured in the ensuing clashes.

The administration has now imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the area to prevent further violence. The entire village has been taken over by the police including top officials who are camping at the site.