Police fire tear gas shell to quell rampaging farmers

Dharwad, Jun 9(UNI) Police fired tear gas shells to quell a large group of farmers, who indulged in violence and set ablaze three buses, a police vehicle and a jeep this afternoon demanding sufficient supply of fertilizer and sowing seeds.

The trouble started in the afternoon when farmers were staging a peaceful dharna at Jubilee circle. A little later they became intolerant after they failed to get a firm assurance from the officials.

Another group of farmers set ablaze a bus near Regal theater 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 it upside down and set it on fire. The official also received minor injuries in the violence.

Meanwhile, at Jubilee circle farmers who were pelting stones rushed to the market area and attempted to loot private fertilizer shops. This led to police resort to lathi charge.

Playing hide and seek with the police farmers they set on fire two more buses forcing the police to burst tear gas shells to disburse the rampaging crowd. Over twenty buses were damaged in the violence.

Additional forces had been deployed in the city and the situation was peaceful and under control now, Police Commissioner Narayana Nadamani told UNI.

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

Meanwhile, Senior Janata Dal (Secular) leaders Basavaraj Horatti and P C Siddangoudar staged dharna in front of Rani Chanamma circle at Hubli in protest against the police action. Vehicular traffic was disrupted for over two hours.

UNI MNP RS RKN2012