Stir against poultry farms turns violent, 12 cops among 24 hurt

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Rajpura, May 23

At least 12 policemen and an equal number of villagers were injured in a clash over the shifting of some poultry farms from Bathunia village in Ghanaur today.

While the police have registered a case against 20 villagers, the latter alleged that the police team attacked them without any provocation.

The villagers have been protesting against some poultry farms in the village for almost one year. They claimed that stink and pollution from these units had been adversely affecting their health.

“Over 100 protesters threatened to cut power supply to the poultry farms and blocked the main road,” the police said.

A police team swooped down on the protesting villagers in the early hours today and uprooted their tent. When the agitators started raising slogans, the police reportedly used mild force to disperse them. Some women were injured in the melee. The villagers then attacked the police team.

“We were accompanied by the local SDM and once the protesters refused to relent and attacked our team, we resorted to mild lathicharge,” said Rajinder Sohal, DSP, Rajpura. “We have registered a case against 20 persons who attacked the police and damaged their vehicle,” he said, adding that the injured had been admitted to hospital.

Representatives of the villagers, Manjit Nogawan, Amarjeet Singh, Harinder and Raghbir Singh alleged that the police attacked them without any provocation as the SDM had came to meet them two days ago.

Liquor in police vehicle?

The police vehicle damaged in the clash was allegedly loaded with some cartons of India made foreign liquor. When the police team fled after being attacked by villagers, many bottles were damaged even as policemen tried to take these away. The police later claimed that there was no liquor on the spot.

Panel formed to resolve issue 

Ramvir Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, has formed a panel consisting of officials from various departments and political leaders to ensure a solution to the poultry issue in Rajpura. “The Rajpura SDM will head the committee and give a report,” he said