Farmers demand water for irrigation, clash with cops

Rajkot: Tempers ran high in Talaja town of Bhavnagar district when farmers demanding water for irrigation clashed with police during a Congress-led rally on Thursday.
While farmers took to stone pelting, police resorted to lathicharge as the situation threatened to spiral out of control. Seven farmers and three policemen suffered minor injuries and were taken to local hospital.
Farmers from five talukas had gathered at a ginning mill in Talaja to demand releasing of water from Shetrunji dam to irrigate their summer crop. They had decided to submit a memorandum to the deputy collector in Talaja town. However, they launched a spontaneous protest and blocked the Bhavnagar-Somnath national highway.
On being informed about the massive traffic jam, a police team from Talaja rushed to spot. Sanjaysinh Sarvaiya, president of Bhavnagar district panchayat told TOI: "Policemen started thrashing the farmers, who were only going to submit a memorandum. Traffic jam was caused as the number of farmers was very big. But they were walking peacefully."
SN Gadu, police sub-inspector, Talaja, said, "Farmers had blocked the national highway. We tried to convince them but there was a scuffle and police had to use mild lathicharge to bring the situation under control." Farmers said the crop sown on over 38,700 hectares will be destroyed if they don't get water for irrigation. "The government has stopped releasing water from Shetrunji dam for irrigation since a week," said Sarvaiya.
Shetrunji dam canal provides irrigation water in five taluka including Talaja, Ghogha, Palitana, Mahuva and Bhavnagar. Bhavnagar collector, Banchhanidhi Pani, said, "As per rule, the water in Shetrunji dam is now reserved only to meet the drinking water requirement."