Kharar, May 21
Traffic on the Kharar-Morinda state highway remained suspended for about four-and-a-half hours from 7 a.m. today when villagers sat on dharna near Khanpur village protesting against encroachment of their lands.

The police had to resort to lathicharge and fire teargas shells and plastic bullets to disperse the mob, resulting in injuries to several police personnel and villagers. Some villagers were severely beaten up after that and about 60 of them, including many women, were rounded up by the police.

The majority of the agitators were Dalits and women. They alleged that the women were teased and foul language was used against them by employees or persons who had grabbed the land when the women went to answer the calls of nature. They were also being threatened.

They alleged that the encroachers had started demolishing a small earthen dike constructed on the side of the river of Khanpur which passed by near the land. This caused a danger of floods to the village.

The agitators demanded that Mr Sujan Singh, Punjab Minister who recently said that encroachments in the state would be removed, should visit Khanpur and only then would they lift the dharna.

Mr Devinder Singh, SDM, Kharar, and Mr Rupinder Singh, DSP, Kharar, tried to persuade the protestors to lift the dharna at 9 a.m. and promised to take action on their complaints. But this failed to pacify them.

It may be mentioned that a compromise was reached between the villagers and owners on April 28, but the protestors today even rejected this compromise.

Meanwhile, the administration called additional police force, including lady police, and two fire engines.

When no compromise could be reached till 9.45 a.m., the administration tried to disperse the traffic jam. At this, the villagers protested. Stones and bricks were allegedly hurled on the police.

The police resorted to a mild lathi charge, fired teargas shells and plastic bullets and many people, including women, were beaten up.

Mr Darshan Singh, Sub-Inspector of police, was seriously injured and Mr Devinder Singh, SDM, Kharar, also suffered a fracture in the left arm.

After that, the police entered the residences of many villagers, beat them up and took them into custody.

Mr Rakesh Kumar Bagga, President of the Municipal Committee, Morinda, who was going to Chandigarh was also beaten up by the police in the melee. He said that although he disclosed his identity the police paid no heed and took him to the Kharar police station.

Mr Jasdev Singh, SHO, Kharar, said 60 villagers had been rounded up. He said 10 policemen were injured in this tussle.

Mr Darshan Singh SI, Mr Barma Singh (ASI) and constables Ashoke Kumar, Amarjit and Balbir Singh were admitted to Civil Hospital, Kharar.

Some villagers, including Mrs Nachatar Kaur, Mrs Babli and Maya Devi, Charanjit Kaur and a newly wed Sukhvir Kaur and an old man Babu Ram were also admitted to the hospital.