Thousands of farmers congregate for meet in Gharsana

Sriganganagar, Oct 11 (UNI) Thousands of farmers are congregating in Gharsana in Ganganagar district today for a meeting this afternoon, to reiterate demands for their share of water from the Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGCP).

At least 6,000 farmers have assembled near the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's (SDM) office for a meeting which will be addressed by farmer leaders like CPI(M)'s Amraram and district Congress Committee president Prithvipal Sandhu.

The leaders of Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangarsh Samiti like Vallabh Kochar, Sant Lekha Singh, Sandhu, Pawan Duggal visited several villages from today morning and held meetings to urge more participation of farmers in the rally.

The farmers in Phase I are demanding 58 per cent water share from the total available from IGPN and from the release of CPM leader Hetram Beniwal and Congress leader Sahibram Punia, along with dozens of others since the past two days as a preventive measure.

Markets remained closed for the second day today and more police contingents are reaching the site to monitor the situation.

The RAC and STF jawans have been stationed around the SDM office and at police check posts and are keeping a watch over the situation Yesterday, the farmers' agitation turned violent as thousands of farmers laid seige in the Dhan Mandi area of the town. A pitched battle continued between farmers and policemen amidst stone pelting, bursting of tear gas shells and firing.

The administration had promulgated Section 144 Cr PC as a preventive measure.

The angry farmers set fire to two police vehicles and beat up three policemen, seriously injuring two of them. Many policemen and farmers were also injured.

Sensing the tense situation, the district administration had imposed curfew in Gharsana and Rawla of Ganganagar district yesterday. But the agitated farmers continued their protest despite the curfew.

The administration had to later withdraw the curfew orders.

Today, the farmers are still congregated outside the SDM office under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangarsh Samiti and are reiterating their demands for their rightful share of water from Indira Gandhi Canal Project.

The Collector and SP are also monitoring the situation.

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