People's Democracy

Yet Another Lathicharge On Gharsana Farmers

AIKS Condemns The Attack 

THE All India Kisan Sabha condemned the police lathicharge and firing of teargas shells on the agitating farmers in Gharsana, Rajasthan on November 10. Many of the farmers agitating for the release of canal water were injured in this latest police brutality. 

In a statement issued on November 11, AIKS president S Ramachandran Pillai and general secretary K Varadha Rajan strongly condemned the attitude of the Rajasthan BJP government towards the agitation and asked it to immediately stop using force. As is known, the farmers agitation began on October 10 and faced severe repression of the Rajasthan government. Despite the agitation carrying on for over a month, the Rajasthan government is refusing to take any initiative to settle the issue. Defying curfew, thousands of peasants took part in the protest rally on November 10. 

The AIKS leaders demanded the Rajasthan government to immediately settle the issue by releasing water from Indira Gandhi Canal and providing adequate compensation to the martyrs of the agitation, Chandu Ram Saran and Parmeshwari Devi as also to those who have been severely injured.

On October 9, 2006, leaders of Kisan Vyapari Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti, Hetram Beniwal and Shadiram Punia were arrested and put in a faraway jail. The KVMSS is leading the agitation in the three districts of Bikaner Division (Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar and Bikaner) for release of due share of water from Indira Gandhi Canal as per the 2004 Agreement. On October 10 the agitation began in Gharsana. The police resorted to a severe lathicharge and hundreds were injured, including Durgaswami, secretary of Rajasthan state committee of AIDWA. Curfew was imposed in Gharsana and in many other places. The agitation, which continues for more than a month, braving curfews, lathicharge, teargas and all other repressive measures, also draws support from other parts of Rajasthan. The government even called the Army to suppress the agitation.

More than 500 people have been injured in various police actions in Gharsana (three times), Ravat Sar, Chiya, 17 KD, 12 KND, Sakhi etc. Anju Devi, daughter of martyr Parmeshwari Devi had to abort due to the police attack. Chandu Ram’s body was cremated only fighting for justice and compensation for 6 days. Kalavati, who was also injured severely in the lathicharge of October 10, is still in hospital undergoing treatment.

As reported last week in these columns, the talks between the KVMSS and the government failed because of the adamant attitude of the Rajasthan government led by Vasundhara Raje. The Samiti has decided to intensify the agitation from November 11. The All India Kisan Sabha fully endorsed the decision to intensify the agitation and called upon all the Kisan Sabha workers of the state to come forward and assist the agitation. It also requested all democratic and progressive minded people to support and help the agitators and put pressure on Rajasthan government to resume negotiation with KVMSS.

(INN)