Fertiliser shortage: One killed in police firing

Hubli, June 10 (UNI) One person was killed on spot and five others received bullet injuries when police opened fire to quell a mob of farmers, agitating against shortage of chemical fertilisers and seeds, in Haveri town, about 75 km from here, today.

The agitation, which saw farmers torching three buses and the vehicle of a DCP in Dharwad city yesterday, spread to four towns of Haveri and some places in Gadag districts.

After lathi charge and bursting of tear gas shells proved futile, police opened fire at the large group of people, including ryots who had come to the town to buy fertilisers and seeds.

Three of the injured were in a serious condition. All the injured were shifted to the KIMS in the city.

In Bangalore, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa ordered an official inquiry into the firing incident. He directed Belgaum Regional Commissioner Amita Prasad to inquire into the incident and submit a report in ten days.

He also announced solatium of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.

He alleged that vested interests were out to bring a bad name to the BJP Government and farmers had not indulged in violent incidents.

Additional forces have been rushed to Haveri from Dharwad and the situation was stated to be under control, but tense.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC have been promulgated in the town.

The Opposition Congress demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and warned the Government that if it did not solve the problems faced by the farmers, it would also take to the streets along with the farmers.

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