Farmers agitation in Gharsana turns violent, curfew imposed

Sriganganagar, Oct 10 (UNI) Thousands of farmers in Gharsana, Rawla in Rajasthan's Ganganagar district today went on a rampage as they threw stones and torched some vehicles and shops over their demand for irrigation water for Rabi crops, despite a curfew.

State Home minister Gulab Chand Katara said a curfew was imposed in Gharsana and Rawla after a farmers rally turned violent. He said 10 more police companies have been sent to restore normalcy and the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police are camping in the area.

Earlier, police cane charged and burst tear gas shells to control the agitating crowd.

The rampaging farmers held three policemen hostage in Sakhi village, about 23 km from Rawla under Gharsana town and beat them.

However, they were later released.

Two policemen of Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) injured in in stone pelting by the farmers were serious. The farmers also set three police vans and many shops in the area on fire. They put up road blockades and stopped two trains.

The farmers had planned to organise a maha rally in Gharsana sub-divisional office, demanding more water for irrigation. In view of the proposed rally the district administration had tightened security arrangements.

The district administration had promulgated Section 144 in the area.

But at least 4,000 farmers today assembled there and started pelting stones at policemen deployed for security.

Two RAC policemen were caught in the stone pelting, who were beaten up mercilessly by the farmers. Rawla police station incharge Shubh Singh sustained head injuries.

As the situation turned out of control, the district administration imposed curfew in Gharsana and Rawla.

The farmer leaders have pledged to continue with their seige till their demands were met.

State CPM leaders including general secretary Vasudev and Legislator Amraram addressed the demonstrating farmers.

The Kisan Vyapari Sangharsh Samiti had called a rally at SDM headquarters over demands of reservation of water for irrigation in the first phase of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project.

Former minister Dularam and district Congress Committee president Prithvipal Sandhu have been arrested along with 52 others.

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