K'taka: Farmer hurt in police firing passes away

Bangalore, Jul 8: A farmer, who was injured in June 10 police firing during farmer's agitation on fertiliser shortage in Haveri town in Karnataka, died in a city hospital this morning.

Official sources said Mr Puttappa Hullathi (38) was admitted to the state-run Sanjay Gandhi Hospital with serious bullet injuries.

The body would be taken to his native place at Nelogal by the officials for conducting last rites. The family members would also accompany the mortal remains of the farmer to his village, the sources said.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who had visited the hospital twice before his death, instructed the officials to make arrangements for taking the body to his village for the last rites.

The deceased was battling for his life for over 27 days. He was admitted to KIMS hospital in Hubli before being shifted to Sanjay Gandhi hospital in Bangalore.

It may be recalled that one farmer was killed on the spot and nine others were injured in the police firing. The farmers were agitating against fertiliser shortage. Later, the stir turned violent.

The state government had ordered a judicial probe into the police firing and Justice Jagannath Shetty Commission has already started probe by inviting people to file affidavit on the June 10 incident.

UNI