PM announces compensation for injured in GNoida protests

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced a financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured and Rs 10,000 for people who suffered minor injuries during violence at Bhatta Parsaul villages in Greater Noida recently.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's office said the Prime Minister has announced the financial assistance for farmers and their family members injured during the recent incidents at Bhatta Parsaul and other areas in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

Farmers who were agitating for more compensation for their land from the state government were allegedly beaten up by Uttar Pradesh police after the crowd reportedly turned violent.

One person was killed in the violence while the district collector and senior police officials were injured.

The protests became a major political issue when Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi reached the spot last week and spent a day with the family members of the farmers.

He was then arrested late in the night but released after a few hours.

Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati sparred over the issue with the former demanding more compensation while the BSP government maintained that Congress was playing politics over the issue.

Former BJP President Rajnath Singh also tried to visit Bhatta Parsaul but was not permitted. He later held a 24-hour fast in Ghaziabad to protest against the 'atrocities of the UP government and growing lawlessness in the state'.