Karnataka: 10 farmers injured in lathicharge

HAVERI: Police resorted to a mild lathicharge to control the farmers who were waiting to purchase Bt cotton seeds at Taluk Agriculture Produce Cooperative Marketing Society (TAPCMS) here on Tuesday.    Ten farmers were injured in the incident which took place when the crowd allegedly tried to break the barricades erected by police.The farmers had gathered at the society to buy Mahyco’s Kanaka Bt Cotton No 7351 seeds.Some of the injured farmers were given first aid treatment in an 108 ambulance and the rest admitted to the district hospital. Superintendent of Police Dr Chetansingh Rathor confirmed that a few farmers sustained injuries in the incident. There was a large rush at the centre, he added. Over 7,000 farmers had gathered in front of the Kanaka seed distribution centre at Haveri taluk APMC premises on Tuesday since 4 am.However, over 3,000 Kanaka seed packets were distributed to farmers. Speaking to Express at TAPCMS premises, the SP said that the situation in and around Haveri is largely peaceful. “We have arrested one person who is suspected to be the relative of a seed dealer,” he added.