A clash broke out today between farmers, demanding "adequate" compensation for cotton crop loss, and policemen leaving at least a dozen persons injured from both the sides in Khokar village, hours before Punjab Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon was to visit the area.
The minister, who was to visit the village to lay foundation stone of a road, cancelled his visit in view of the clash.
Though no arrest has been made so far, police have registered a case against several people under various sections of IPC.
The incident took place when farmers were protesting against the state government over their demands including adequate compensation for cotton crop loss and higher rates for basmati crop.
When police asked protesting villagers including women led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) to vacate the place, verbal duel took place between protesters and policemen.
Police claimed some youth among the protesters pelted stones at them which caused injuries to four policemen, prompting the police to use force to disperse the farmers.
"We have registered a case including damage to public property in this regard," Bathinda SSP Rajeshwar Singh Sidhu said.
The police also claimed that protesters had even damaged the foundation stone of the road.
Meanwhile, Minister Sekhon accused Congress and BKU leaders of orchestrating protest against the SAD-BJP led state government.
"It (protest) was the handiwork of Congress leaders and BKU-led farmers. They are not able to digest development work done by the state government that is why they are indulging in such protests," Sekhon said.
The minister said he did not go to Khokhar village after the incident.
However, BKU (Ugrahan) senior vice president Jhanda Singh accused police of using force against the protesters sitting peacefully in support of their demands.
Singh claimed that five to six persons were injured after police resorted to cane charge.
Police said raids were being conducted to arrest the accused.
