Annual Report 2008-2009 15. Killing of Farmers in Police Firing during Demonstration in Greater Noida Development Authority Against Acquisition of Land (Case No.19866/24/30/2008-2009) 4.75 The case relates to a complaint from one Kisaan Sangarsh Samiti, alleging police excesses and killing of farmers in firing near the office of Greater Noida Development Authority, Uttar Pradesh. It was alleged that the police resorted to indiscriminate lathi charge, firing, and usage of tear gas shells on the farmers who were peacefully demonstrating against the acquisition of their land, which resulted in killing of 15 to 20 farmers and injuries to many others. 4.76 A report received from the Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar stated that during the demonstration, on account of damage to property, stone pelting and firing by the demonstrators, the police resorted to use of tear gas and force for maintaining peace. In this melee, some police personnel and farmers also got injured. In all, 15 cases were registered with regard to this incident. The Commission called for copies of the inquest report, MER and status of criminal cases 480/2008 and 481/2008 registered at Police Station Kasna as well as information concerning compensation, if any, granted to the next of kin of the deceased. 4.77 The Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar also submitted an investigation report dated 24 October 2008 of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dadri which stated that for controlling the agitating farmers in Greater Noida on 13 August 2008 the police had resorted to firing in self-defence resulting in the death of five persons. In this connection, two cases -Crime No. 480/2008 and 481/2008 registered in Kasna were under investigation. The report denied the allegations about destruction of evidence of harassment, beating or murder of the farmers by the police. The report submitted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, also mentioned that Rs. 2,00,000 was granted as ex-gratia relief to the families of the deceased by the District Magistrate; Rs. 8,00,000 was granted by the Greater Noida Development Authority; Rs. 9,00,000 was granted by the J.P. Group; Rs. 2,00,000 by a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Surender Nagar; and Rs. 3,00,000 was granted by the State Government. In addition, 13 persons who were seriously injured, had been provided a financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 each and 131 persons who had received simple injuries were provided financial assistance of Rs. 25,000 each. 4.78 The office of the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh submitted copies of the inquest report and the post-mortem report in respect of the deceased mentioning that death in each case was due to injury sustained on the body. It was also mentioned that no magisterial enquiry at District level had been ordered. 4.79 The Commission on considering the reports, directed the District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar to submit other related reports to apprise it regarding the compensation paid by the State Government, Industrial Houses, Member of Legislative Assembly and others to the next of kin of the deceased; seriously injured persons; and other injured persons along with details of the total amount paid to the next of kin of each deceased and to each injured. 40