Bundelkhand farmers lodge violent protest
KANPUR: Farmers in Bundelkhand took to the streets after unseasonal rain and hailstorm badly damaged their standing crop on Monday. They were seeking damages from the state government for the loss. Police in Mahoba had to fire in the air to control the agitating farmers, who stoned the vehicle of the local MLA Brijbhushan Rajput.
KANPUR: Farmers in Bundelkhand took to the streets after unseasonal rains and hailstorm badly damaged their standing crop on Monday. They were seeking damages from the state government for the loss.
Police in Mahoba had to fire in the air to control the agitating farmers, who stoned the vehicle of the local MLA Brijbhushan Rajput.
While they blocked the road traffic for several hours in Jhansi, tractor-trollies carrying hailstones were taken to the commissioner of Banda division. Reports from Mahoba said farmers from several villages put up a road blockade near Gondi crossing in Kulpahad area. As the police were busy in moving them away, people from four other villages disrupted traffic movement on the main highway.
District magistrate Sahdev and SP Mahoba N Kolanchi reached the site and assured the farmers that a proper assessment of loss would be done and compensation recommended.
In between, the vehicle of MLA from Charkhari Brijbhushan Rajput was found trapped in the jam. Police attempts to bring the situation escalated the situation and farmers began targeting the other vehicles.
Four cops were hurt in the stone-pelting, SP Mahoba N Kolanchi said.
In order to disperse the mob, police had to fire in the air and later took six person into custody. The DM later visited several villages and took stock of the situation. The SP Mahoba was not available for his comments despite repeated attempts. Similarly, hundreds of farmers blocked Garautha Mauranipur road amid heavy slogan shouting. The farmers had scuffle with the tehsildar and circle officer. The road blockade ended after senior officials reached the site and assured compensation.
In Banda, protests took place at several places. Unseasonal rain and hailstorms had wrecked havoc and if compensation was not paid they would be ruined, they said in their memorandum to the officials.