Surat, Aug 14: A police inspector died and 16 others sustained minor injuries when irate farmers participating in a rally turned violent at Dhamnodh near here while 40 persons, including farmers' leader Sharad Joshi, were arrested at Vadodara for defying prohibitory orders in view of the rally.
The rally was called by the Vadodara-based Gujarat Khedut Sangharsh Samiti to protest against the agricultural power tariff hike and got spontaneous support from other farmers' organisations across the region.
Senior officials, who rushed to Dhamnodh, near Koshamba, to control the situation, lobbed several tear gas shells and resorted to lathi charge to disperse mobs that turned violent at seeing the police presence and created road blocks along the National highway, inspector general of police, Surat (rural) M K Tandon told.
Circle police inspector N P Sarvaiya, who tried to control the agitated farmers, was hit by stones when he slipped and slumped on the ground, Tandon said adding, he was rushed to Jayaben Modi hospital in the industrial town of Ankleshwar but was declared dead on arrival.
Preliminary check by doctors revealed that Sarvaiya, who received severe head injuries, also had a fatal heart attack during the clash, Tandon said.

At least 16 persons, including policemen and farmers, received minor injuries, he said adding, a case would be registered at Koshamba police station.

The situation is a 'bit tense' even now but is under control, Tandon added.
Bureau Report