One killed, five injured in police firing on farmers in K'taka

Hubli, Jun 10 (UNI) One person was killed on the spot and five others received bullet injuries when police opened fire on rampaging farmers at Haveri about 75 km from here today.

The agitating farmers protested violently over inadequate supply of chemical fertilisers and sowing seeds.

After yesterday's violence in Dharwad city in which saw farmers torching three buses and the vehicle of a DCP, spread to four towns of Haveri and some places in Gadag districts.

Three among the injured were in serious condition. All the injured were shifted to KIMS in the city.

Police opened fire after lathicharge and bursting of tear gas shells failed to quell the stone pelting mob.

Eight people received injuries in the stone pelting while 13 were injured in lathi charge.

The farmers who had come to the city to buy fertiliser and seeds after collecting coupons from officials during the last three days after standing in long queues.

Additional forces have been rushed to Haveri from Dharwad and the situation was stated to be under control but tense.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 CRPC have been promulgated in the town as a precautionary measure.

In the state capital Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa ordered an official inquiry into the firing incident. He directed Belgaum Regional Commissioner Amita Prasad to inquire into the incident and submit a report in ten days.

He also announced solatium of Rs two lakh to the dead person, Rs 50,000 to seriously injured and Rs 25,000 who sustained minor injuries.

He alleged that vested interests were out to bring a bad name to the BJP government and farmers had not indulged in violent incidents.

Congress today demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.

KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge said if the government did not solve the problems faced by the farmers, it would also come out on streets and join the farmers in their agitation.

Congress leader Dharam Singh demanded a judicial inquiry into the firing incident.

JD(S) state unit president Merajuddin Patel, condemning the incident, said the BJP government had showed that it was inept to rule the state. It was acting indifferently in helping the farmers with adequate supply of farm inputs.

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