Farmers impasse continues in Gharsana

Sriganganagar, Oct 27 (UNI): Thousands of agitating farmers and villagers are assembling at 10 LM village in Ganganagar district today where the body of Chanduram Saran lies awaiting crematiion.

The farmers under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangharsh Samiti have decided to head for Gharsana, 18 km from the village today with Chanduram's body, if their demands are not met.

Farmer leaders including Amraram CPM, Congress state president B D Kalla, Dr Chandrabhan are present at 10 LM village. The farmers say they will stop and sit with the Chanduram's body whereever they are stopped by the police.

As a precautionary measure, the district administration had reimposed curfew in Gharsana and Raola from yesterday. Today, however, curfew was relaxed from 6 am to 8 am in Gharsana and Raola.

With around 3,500 policemen providing security in Gharsana and Raola, the district administration is keeping a close watch on the activities of the protesting farmers.

Yesterday, the two-hour long talks between the state government representatives and farmers failed to make any headaway.

Forty-year-old Chanduram who was hospitalised had died at Manjuwas village at his relative's place on wednesday. He was seriously injured in police lathicharge in Gharsana.

His relatives allege that Chanduram was forcefully discharged from hospital even though he was not fully fit. Chanduram's relatives have refused to cremate his body.

They are demanding Rs five lakh compensation, job for at least one dependant and booking the guilty policemen. They have refused to hand over Chanduram's body for post-mortem to ascertain the reasons for his death until their demands are met.

The farmers agitation in Gharsana on October 16 turned violent when the police lathicharged them and lobbed teargas shells. The farmers had assembled before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office to press their demands for 58 per cent share of irrigation water from Indira Gandhi Canal Project and release of their arrested leaders like Hetram Beniwal and Sahebram Punia.

UNI XC MIR SND1358