Rights panel finalises Bhatta-Parsaul report

The Uttar Pradesh government's land acquisition policy remains in the spotlight of the National Human Rights Commission as the commission finalised its report on violence at Bhatta-Parsaul twin village, and issued notice to the state government on alleged intimidation of farmers in Aligarh.

The Uttar Pradesh government's land acquisition policy remains in the spotlight of the National Human Rights Commission as the commission finalised its report on violence at Bhatta-Parsaul twin village, and issued notice to the state government on alleged intimidation of farmers in Aligarh.

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The NHRC's action comes as Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi went on a march in Greater Noida in solidarity with farmers against alleged forcible acquisition of their lands.

A press release issued by the NHRC Tuesday said the team "which investigated violence over land acquisition in Bhatta-Parsaul areas of Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh has finalised its report, which will be placed for consideration of the full commission shortly."

Four people, including two policemen, were killed in an exchange of gunfire between farmers protesting against land acquisition and the police in Greater Noida's twin villages of Bhatta-Parsaul in May.

The NHRC also issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government after a delegation of farmers from five villages in Aligarh district submitted a joint complaint.

The farmers' delegation claimed that they were being "unduly" pressured by district authorities to "extract their consent for acquisition of their land" for a private company, Jaypee Group, that is constructing the Yamuna Expressway and a residential project.

"The farmers have also alleged that the revenue authorities have got their electricity supply disconnected. They are not allowed to cultivate their lands. They are also being allegedly implicated in false criminal cases by the police and they are being threatened with dire consequences if they do not agree to part with their lands," added the press release.

The NHRC has also deputed its own investigation team for conducting an "on the spot inquiry" in Jikerpur, Jahangarh, Kansera, Udaipur and Tappal villages of Khair tehsil of Aligarh district.