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Deadlock over cremation continues; farmers' siege on

Special Correspondent

Bandh planned in Bikaner division today; curfew continues in Gharsana town

JAIPUR: Deadlock over the cremation of Chandu Ram Saran, a victim of police lathicharge, continued in Gharsana-Raola region of Sriganganagar district in Rajasthan on Sunday with thousands of farmers staging a "padaav'' (siege) with the body at Kukri Road outside Gharsana town.

The Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangharsh Samiti (KMVSS), spearheading the agitation, extended its ultimatum to the State Government till Monday morning to announce a package of compensation to Chandu Ram's family and begin talks to resolve the difficulties caused by paucity of irrigation water in the Phase I area of Indira Gandhi Canal Project.

The Samiti also announced a bandh and `chakka jam' (stop wheel) in the entire Bikaner division on Monday in protest against the State Government's obstinate stand on the farmers' agitation. Opposition Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) have extended their support to the bandh call.

The Pradesh Congress Committee president, B.D. Kalla, addressing the farmers, said the ball was now in the State Government's court and it would itself be responsible for any law and order situation arising out of the agitation.

Mr. Kalla said had Congress been in power in the State at present, the farmers would not have to launch a prolonged agitation for their just demands. He said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was insensitive to the plight of farmers and had no vision for equitable distribution of water.

Farmers are demanding a package comprising Rs. 5 lakhs as compensation and the Government job for a family member of Chandu Ram, who succumbed to his injuries a day after the police lathicharge on farmers on October 16, prior to the cremation of his body.

The KMVSS is yet to hear anything from the Government on this issue or on the crisis of irrigation water.

Curfew imposed in Gharsana town following the clash of farmers with police continued without any relaxation on Sunday.

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