Farmers' protest in Maharashtra turns violent; 12 policemen injured

Additional forces sent to the spot including riot control vehicles to contain the violence.

At least 12 policemen were injured and a police van was torched in a clash with farmers agitating against land acquisition on Thursday at Thane-Badlapur highway in Maharashtra. Farmers from 17 villages held protests at 10 locations along the highway.

Police has registered a case of attempt to murder against protesters. Four villagers were also injured in pellet gun attack by the police, the injured are being treated, said Police Commissioner, Thane.

The situation is normal now. Both curfew and Section 144 will not be imposed in the area, he added.

Additional forces were sent to the spot,including riot control vehicles, to contain the violence, reports ANI. Farmers were protesting against the acquisition of land by Ministry of Defence.

According to reports, the Navy is walling up an old British-period aerodrome in the area. The 12600-acre premises belongs to the Navy. But over the years, it had been encroached upon by the locals.

Maharashtra: Farmers protest turns violent on Thane-Badlapur highway, protesting farmers say their land is being acquired by MoD pic.twitter.com/b6VDUmhMmH

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 22, 2017

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