Three persons, including a PAC jawan, were killed and nine injured near Aligarh when farmers fought pitched battles with police who opened fire to restore calm as the Uttar Pradesh government tonight ordered a judicial probe into the violence.

Aligarh District Magistrate Rama Rao and SSP Vijay Prakash were also shunted out by the Mayawati government which announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to each bereaved family.

The violence broke out last night in Jikarpur village when farmers, demanding higher compensation for land acquired for a township, went on a rampage vandalising a police post, indulging in heavy brickbatting and setting afire vehicles.

The trouble erupted after rumours flew thick and fast that a farmer leader had been arrested near the village which lies close to Uttar Pradesh-Haryana border.

Police opened fire to disperse the violent protesters and bring the situation under control, said SSP (Aligarh) Vijay Prakash who was transferred this evening.

B D Palson, SSP of Mathura, which too was hit by the violence, was also shifted.

Two persons and a PAC jawan were killed and nine injured in the clashes, Uttar Pradesh Additional ADGP (Law and Order) Brijlal told reporters in Lucknow.

Over 2,000 farmers today staged a sit-in at Jikarpur, the epicentre of yesterday's violence. The protesters also tried to block traffic at several places on Aligarh-Tappal road.

Vijay Prakash said the farmers this morning destroyed machinery for construction of the Expressway, adding the extent of loss was yet to be ascertained.

"Taking a serious note of violence in Aligarh and Mathura, Chief Minister Mayawati has ordered a judicial inquiry," Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh said in the state capital.

A Committee, headed by the Aligarh Divisional Commissioner, would be set up to examine the issue of compensation to farmers, he said.

The farmers are on the warpath demanding higher compensation for land acquired for a township project along the Delhi-Agra Taj Expressway.

The ADGP said the situation in Aligarh was now under control. Police and Rapid Action Force were deployed in strength in trouble-torn areas.