Several injured as police lathicharge farmers in Rawatsar

Sriganganagar, Oct 30 (UNI) Around 30 people were injured, five of them seriously, when police resorted to a lathicharge to quell agitating farmers in Rawatsar in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan today.

The police had to resort to baton-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse a 2,000-strong crowd of farmers, including women.

The protestors tried to enter the office of sub-divisional Magistrate and pelted police with stones. The agitating farmers have been camping in the area for the past 15 days.

The injured have been admitted to Rawatsar hospital.

The police dismantled the tents of the farmers and even entered houses, and lathicharged the people there.

The Indira Gandhi Canal Project areas in Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bikaner districts are observing a bandh today in connection with the continuing farmers' agitation over irrigation water.

Rawatsar is also observing a 'Janta Curfew' today.

The Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangharsh Samiti has given a call for a 'Janta Curfew' in these areas. The protestors have put up several road blocks in the area.

UNI XC KD DS1510