Curfew in Gharsana, Raola after clashes between farmers, police

Sriganganagar, Oct 17 (UNI) Curfew was imposed in Gharsana and Raola in Ganganagar district this morning following violent clashes between the agitating farmers and police yesterday.

At least 100 people, including a number of women and policemen, were injured in the clashes. Army was called in last night in Gharsana, which conducted a flag march through the town.

The situation is still tense.

The farmers had been agitating for the past one week for 58 per cent share of irrigation water from Indira Gandhi Canal Project and also the release of their arrested leaders.

The farmers under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangharsh Samiti had warned of intensifying their stir from Monday if their demands were not met.

A farmers rally, near the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in Gharsana, turned violent after the demonstraters started pelting stones. The police lathicharged, lobbed tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

People who took shelter inside a religious place also had to face lathis. At least six people were injured in the incident.

Two mediapersons were also injured in the melee. Cameras of some others were damaged.

Among the injured during lathicharge was state general secretary of Janvadi Mahila Samiti Durga Swami and Congress district secretary Prithipal Singh Sandhu.

Senior police and district officials are monitoring the situation.

Many organisations have criticised the use of police force on the agitating farmers and may launch a protest on Tuesday against the alleged police excesses.

UNI XC RRT YA VA RAI1145