Scores of people including an Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) were also injured in Greater Noida region when the agitation by the farmers demanding better compensation for their acquired land turned into violent clashes in Bhatta Parsaul village in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, a Delhi suburb region.
The protesting farmers alleged that a protester, who was found dead, was killed in police firing after villagers and security personnel fought pitched battles for several hours.
Three employees of the state-run UP roadways who had been held hostage since Friday were rescued by the security personnel, police said.
"Two constables were killed, when protesters fired heavily on the police team, which had gone to rescue three employees of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) held hostage since Friday," Director General of Police Karamveer Singh told reporters in Lucknow.
He said a body of an unidentified man with country-made fire-arms and cartridges was later recovered in the field and it was yet to be ascertained under what circumstances he died.
Agarwal, who went to the village hoping to resolve the hostage crisis through talks, suffered a bullet injury and was rushed to Kailash hospital in adjacent NOIDA where he was operated upon, police said. Officials said Agarwal`s condition was stable.
The Director General of Police (DGP) said the situation was now under control and 15 to 20 people have been arrested.
He said the protestors were led by Manveer Singh Tewatia, who he alleged incited the mob for his vested political interest.
The DGP said that the protestors, who initially dispersed, started firing from the village in which the two constables Manveer Singh and Manohar Singh were killed.
"District magistrate Deepak sustained bullet injury, whereas SSP sustained injuries from the stones pelted by the protestors," he said.
The farmers have been agitating since 17th January for better compensation for their land acquired by the Uttar Pradesh government.
(Uu.H-AK)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
