Police fire tear gas; Farmers set ablaze 3 buses

Dharwad, Karnataka, June 9 (UNI) Police today fired tear gas to quell a large group of agitating farmers, who indulged in violence and set ablaze three buses, a police vehicle and a jeep, demanding sufficient supply of fertilisers and seeds.

The trouble started in the evening when a dharna staged by the farmers at Jubilee Circle turned violent as they failed to get an assurance from the officials. Another group of farmers set ablaze a bus near Regal theatre in the city.

On hearing the news, ACP R Dilip rushed to the spot. As soon as he got down from his vehicle, farmers pushed the vehicle upside down and set it on fire. The official also received minor injuries in the violence.

Meanwhile, at Jubilee Circle, the farmers started pelting stones.

They later rushed to the market area and attempted to loot private fertiliser shops.

Police resorted to lathi charge to control the agitating farmers.

The farmers set on fire two more buses. Police fired tear gas to disperse the rampaging crowd. Over 20 buses were damaged in the violence.

Additional forces were deployed in the city and the situation was brought under control, Police Commissioner Narayana Nadamani told UNI.

He said no arrests were made so far, but some people had been detained.

Meanwhile, senior JD(S) leaders Basavaraj Horatti and P C Siddangoudar staged a dharna in front of Rani Chennamma Circle at Hubli, protesting against the police action. Vehicular traffic was disrupted for more than two hours.

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