Jaipur, Oct 18 Police detained 10 farmers in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district on Sunday as protesters demanding irrigation water for rabi crops and changes in canal water distribution rules took out a march.
The farmers removed police barricades, moved trucks and blocked the road at several places. They were stopped about two kilometres before Birdhwal Head of Indira Gandhi Canal, police said.
A minor scuffle broke out between farmers and police during the march. The protesters also burnt effigies of the chief minister, irrigation minister and Bikaner MP.
The farmers, under the banner of Khet Bachao Kisan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, have been demanding the release of water into the Anupgarh branch canal and adequate irrigation water for sowing rabi crops.
They are also seeking changes in the canal water distribution schedule.
Earlier, farmers had a meeting with officials in Gharsana, but it remained inconclusive. Following the failure of talks, farmers decided to march towards Birdhwal Head in a convoy of tractor-trolleys and other vehicles.
The police set up barricades at several points along the Suratgarh-Chhatargarh road and placed trucks across the route to stop the protesters.
However, the farmers removed the barricades and moved ahead.
Additional District Magistrate Ashok Sangwa and police officials tried to persuade the protesters to stop, but they continued their march.
The police made further attempts to stop the convoy near 285 RD Birmana and 270 RD area, where a minor scuffle took place.
The farmers were finally stopped, following which they gathered outside the forest department office at Birdhwal.
Additional policemen were deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
(PTI News)
