By IANS
Jaipur : Farmers of Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district Monday renewed their agitation for release of more water from the Indira Gandhi Canal for irrigating their fields.
Over 1,000 farmers trooped in from various parts of Sriganganagar, over 550 km from here, and gathered at a common meeting place in Gharsana.
The farmers earlier warned that they would hold massive protests if the state government failed to accept their demands by Nov 4.
Hetram Beniwal, leader of Kisan Majdoor and Vyapari Sangarsh Samiti, said farmers had started their agitation from Gharsana.
“After Gharsana, we’ll hold a sit-in in Khajuwala on Nov 7, followed by one on Nov 16 in Rawatsar, and Nov 19 in Suratgarh,” Beniwal said.
“Besides Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh, we would also hold protests in Bikaner district. Our agitation would be peaceful but if the government tries to stop our agitation, then it should be ready to face the consequences,” Beniwal added.
In a bid to maintain law and order, the government beefed up security in the area by deploying the Special Task Force (STF) and Rajasthan Armed Constabulary personnel.
The Samiti has been spearheading the protests for more water since 2004.
Farmers in Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts have been agitating for almost three years for the release of more irrigation water from the Indira Gandhi Canal in their districts. The protests became violent in 2004 and again in 2006 when six people were killed in police firing.