Farmer dies in clash in Latur

Latur, Maharashtra, Dec 29 (UNI) A farmer died and seven others were wounded, including four policemen , during a clash between two groups of people at a cooperative sugar factory at Ambulga village in this district today, police said.

Vishwanath Sadashiv Lambote, 55, fell unconscious while running for cover when police lathicharged and burst teargas shells in a bid to quell violence and disperse the clashing groups. Lambote was declared brought dead when taken to a nearby hospital, district police superintendent Dr Pravin Salunkhe told UNI, adding the cause of death was cardiac arrest.

The clash occurred between supporters of former Maharashtra Minister Dr Shivajirao-Patil Nilangekar and local MLA Sambhaji Patil following a wordy duel between the MLA and factory Chairman Ashok Patil at the General Body Meeting (GBM) of the factory today, police sources said. A grandson of the former minister was also allegedly involved in the clash, police sources said.

Heated arguments began in the GBM when some farmer-members of the sugar cooperative apprehended that their crop might not be purchased for crushing by the factory in view of bumper harvest in the area this season.

When supporters of the former minister and the MLA started pelting stones at each others and also smashed vehicles of the police who were there for security, police burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to quell the violence and disperse the clashing group, deputy superintendent of police Tushar Doshi said.

The police burst at least 12 teargas shells before resorting to lathi charge to disperse the clashing groups, Dr Salunkhe said, adding it was during the clash that Lambote, while running for a cover, fell unconcious and died due to heart attack.

All the seven injured, including four policemen, were under treatment in the local government hospital.

Dr Salunkhe said a case was registered by police against those involved in the clash.

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