Protest turns violent

Two injured, as police lob tear gas shells

The trouble began when hundreds of farmers indulged in stone throwing and started attacking shops, alleging sale of fertilisers at higher prices at a shop near Jagalur bus stand. The farmers also attacked a fertiliser truck and looted urea. bags in the vehicle.

The attempts of Joint Director of Agriculture Department Dr R G Gollar who arrived at the spot to pacify the agitating farmers went in vain. Most of the shop owners downed the shutters as soon as the violence erupted.

Farmers resorted to rasta and rail roko in the town. Police lobbed teargas shells when attempts were made to attack police vehicle and set it on fire.

Deputy Commissioner Amaranarayan, who arrived at the spot, was also gheraoed. The  deputy commissioner promised the protesting farmers to ensure adequate supply of fertilisers from Saturday and cautioned action against buccaneers.

Another group of farmers detained Bangalore-Hubli train for nearly one-a-half-hours. Only after it started raining, the farmers left the track and the train proceeded to Hubli.
Police vehicle driver Mariyappa (50), a farmer from Harapahanahalli have sustained injuries in the incident.

The violence has been videographed and the guilty will be arrested, informed Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil.

In protest against inadequate supply of fertilisers, farmers forced a bundh in Byadagi town. The life was disrupted following the five-hour bundh. Farmers observed rasta roko for some time in Haveri and Gundenahalli also.