Gharsana, Raola tense as news of farmer's death spread

Sriganganagar, Oct 25 (UNI) The situation in Gharsana and Raola towns in Ganganagar district is tense after news of the death of a farmer, injured in the police lathicharge, spread.

Agitated farmers have also issued an ultimatum to the state government till tomorrow morning to meet their demands, otherwise they will march to Anoopgarh or Gharsana with Chanduram Saran's body. They have refused to cremate Chanduram's body till their demands are complied with.

Several CPM and Congress leaders, including CPM legislator Amraram, former minister Radheyshyam Ganganagar, Pawan Duggal, former legislator Sohan Naik, Congress district chief Prithvipal Singh Sandhu, Lekha Singh have reached Chanduram's ancestral village where he is supposed to be cremated.

Despite relaxation in curfew in both Gharsana and Raola towns, shops downed their shutters and markets wore a deserted look after the news of the death reached here.

On October 16, 40-year-old Chanduram was seriously injured in the police lathicharge on the agitating farmers. Chanduram was admitted to the hospital for treatment. He was, however, released from the hospital on October 23. He died in Maanjuwas village at his relative's house around early morning today while on his way to the hospital.

Chanduram's body has been taken to his ancestral village 10 L M for cremation. Tension erupted after the body reached the village.

Chanduram's family has refused to perform the cremation rites and are demanding Rs 10 lakh as compensation. They are also demanding employment for dependants and action against the guilty policemen.

However, Collector Kunji Lal Meena said Chanduram's father Pokharram had given a written request to discharge his son from the hospital. Mr Meena said Chanduram had fractured his leg and was feeling well during discharge. Chanduram was supposed to have been given proper treatment at the hsopital.

Mr Meena said according to information received from various sources, Chanduram is supposed to have died from heart attack.

Many social, human rights organisations and Left party members in a press conference in Jaipur alleged that Chanduram had sustained head injuries and was given forceful discharge from the hospital.

Mr Meena has, meanwhile, requested Chanduram's family members to hand over his body for post-mortem so that actual reasons for his death could be ascertained, which the family members are refusing to do.

The farmers, in Phase I area of Indira Gandhi Canal Project, have been agitating for the past two weeks for 58 per cent share of irrigation water and implementation of the water agreement signed.

They are also demanding the release of their arrested leaders Hetram Beniwal and Sahebram Punia.

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