Cops, farmers clash over wage payment

Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, Aug 16 (UNI) Three policemen and five protestors were injured when police used lathicharge to disperse farmers who were holding a road roko seeking full payment of wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), at Rettanai Village in this district this evening.

Police said trouble began when some farmers and DYFI volunteers staged a road roko demanding payment of Rs 80 as mandated under the Act instead of the Rs 40 they were given presently.

Despite the efforts of Panchayat President Kalaichelvan, Tashildar and Police officers, they refused to yield.

Police had to use mild caning to disperse them. However, the agitators turned violent and pelted stones at the police and broke the windshields of police jeeps and vehicles.

Police reinforcements arrived and fired shots in the air. They caned the protestors who finally dispersed.

In the melee, a police inspector, sub-inspector and a constable were injured.

Five protestors were injured, two of them seriously. The duo were shifted to the Pondicherry Government Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) Founder Leader S Ramadoss condemned the police action and sought a probe into the incident.

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