Police cane stone pelting farmers

Bijapur, Karnataka, Jan 13 (UNI) Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse a group of farmers, pelting stones at the car of Shivkumar Sugar Factory Chairman Basanagouda Patil, MP, at Hirebevanoor village in the district this evening.

Police said thousands of farmers, led by factory Director and Congress MLA Shivanand Patil, launched a hunger strike in front of the factory, demanding among other things that farmers who were shareholders should be accommodated on the board.

Mr Basanagouda Patil had rejected the seven-point charter of demands of the farmers and convened a special general body meeting next month.

Mr Basanagouda Patil, with the support of seven Directors, decided to transport sugar stored in the factory godown to the market. Enraged by the move, the farmers pelted stones at his car, following which the police resorted to lathi charge.

UNI