Farmers protest continue, bandhs in Bikaner dist

Sriganganagar, Nov 13 (UNI) Farmers of Phase I areas of Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGCP), agitating for adequate irrigation water, have threatened to proceed towards Rawatsar tomorrow in Hanumangarh district.

The farmers under the Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangharsh Samiti have been staging dharna and protesting for water and a compensation package for farmer Chanduram Saran, alleged to have died due to injuries infilcted in Gharsana police lathcharge, for the past several days.

The farmers have been asked to proceed towards Rawatsar where the district administration has promulgated prohibitory orders in the area. The farmers in Ganganagar's Anoopgarh are staging a dharna today. They will hold relay dharnas in several other places in a phased manner over the week.

Meanwhile, reports from Bikaner said farmers in Phase II areas of IGCP in Bikaner district were observing bandh in protest against reducing their supply of irrigation water from the canal.

Bandhs were being observed in Kolayat, Bajju and Pugal where the mandis were closed. Roadways buses were not plying and business establishments were also closed.

The district administration has tightened security arrangements in the area in view of the bandh and additional district collector P C Mavar is monitoring the situation.

The farmers allege that government, under the protest of the Phase I farmers, may reduce their water supply. They will stage dharnas at sub-divisional magistrate headquarters, which is likely to be addressed by Kolayat legislator Devi Singh Bhati later.

The Phase II farmers are angry that water flow has been stopped from Kolayat lift project and almost halved from Gajner lift project.

UNI XC RRT VA Mir BD1345