Land row in Mathura, 1 dies in firing

At least one villager was killed, and more than a dozen injured in police firing at Bajna in Mathura. Unofficial reports said three people had died.

At least one villager was killed, and more than a dozen injured in police firing at Bajna in Mathura on Tuesday evening. Unofficial reports said three people had died.

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Police opened fire when a huge crowd from 66 villages of the area — who had been agitating for the past fortnight, set fire to six police vehicles and a roadways bus, besides torching the Bajna police outpost.

The protesters wanted compensation for the land being acquired from them to build the 165 km long Yamuna Expressway, from Greater Noida to Agra, on par with that paid to their counterparts in Noida. While Noida farmers had been given Rs 750 per square metre, only Rs 350 per square metre was being paid for land in Mathura.

District officials and policemen refused to comment on the incident.

The injured have been admitted to hospital.