Jaipur, Oct 10: Farmers protesting the lack of
irrigation water today briefly took two policemen hostage and
indulged in arson in Ghadsana town of Sriganganagar district,
prompting authorities to impose indefinite curfew in the area.
The policemen, held captive by the protestors, were
rescued after a scuffle in which they were injured, Director
General of Police A S Gill told mediapersons here.
Five other policemen were also injured in stone pelting
by the farmers. Three policemen who sustained serious injuries
were taken to a nearby hospital, said gill, who is monitoring
the situation in Ghadsana from the police headquarters.
The curfew is now in force in Ghadsana and a detailed
report was still awaited following the mobilisation of forces
and senior police officials, he said.
The protesting farmers first indulged in brick-batting
and then set on fire three police jeeps at Sakhi village near
the town, Sriganganagar's District Collector K L Meena said on
phone.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc were in
force in parts of Sriganganagar district, including Rawala and
Vijaynagar, since Sunday night, he said.
Demanding irrigation water for the rabi crop during the
first fortnight of this month, the Kisan Majdoor Vypari
Samiti, led by the CPI-M, began a road blockade in the
districts of Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar and Bikaner along the
Indira Gandhi Canal area.
A CPI-M spokesman here said farmers had blocked roads at
many places in Ghadsana, Anupgarh, Rawala and Lunkaransar. The
rail services remained unaffected.
Bureau Report
