Agitating farmers plan rally in Anoopgarh on Oct 27

Sriganganagar, Oct 23 (UNI) After no breakthrough in talks with the state government, agitating farmers in Ganganagar district have decided to hold a massive rally in Anoopgarh on Oct 27.

Meanwhile, the district administration relaxed curfew till 2200 hrs in Gharsana and Raola on both Saturday and yesterday. The curfew has been relaxed till 2200 hrs today also.

Several farmers in the district observed 'Black Diwali' this year and burnt effigies of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangarsh Samiti's (KMVSS) spokesman and former legislator Sohan Nayak said the parliamentary affairs minister Rajendra Singh Rathore held talks with CPM leader Amraram on Saturday. Later several leaders of KMVSS reached Jaipur, but the state government's condition of calling off the agitation before any further talks led to a breakdown.

Mr Nayak said that the rally at Anoopgarh will pay tribute to the four farmers killed in Gharsana and Raola in police firing two years ago.

He said Union ministers Namonarain Meena, state Congress president Dr B D Kalla and many CPM leaders will also participate in the rally. He also said agitation will continue in Gharsana once the curfew is called off.

The rural areas in Gharsana and Raola did not witness Diwali celebrations. Villagers burnt effigies of the Chief Minister and tied Raksha Sutra on each other's hands to strengthen their resolve to continue their agitation unitedly.

Meanwhile, the police arrested Student Federation of India's district chief Vijay Bissu today. Superintendent of police Vinita Thakur said Bissu was arrested from Sangria in Hanumangarh district.

The farmers have been agitating for the past 10 days demanding their 58 per cent share of water from the Indira Gandhi canal Project and also release of arrested leaders.

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