Thousands of farmers as well as workers of various political parties organised a protest march today but the police used force to stop it and arrested the leaders for deying prohibitory orders.
Organisers strongly condemned the administration's act saying that democratic and constitutional rights were violated by the administration and warned that they would intensify the agitation.
Earlier, Kisan Sabha, Adiwasi Mahasabha, Bharat Jan Andolan, Communist Party of India and Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh had declared that they would organise a protest march to the collectorate to demand Gadchiroli district to be declared as drought affected as well as an aid package of Rs 25,000 per acre to drought-affected farmers.
After the administration denied permission to the protest march, the organisers decided to go ahead with the march and assembled in large numbers, in front of the Press Club.
However, after they started the march, the police arrested the leaders and took them to the police station. The people also rushed behind their leaders but they were pushed back by the police.
Tension prevailed for some time as a large number of people assembled at various places shouted slogans against the police and the administration.
Later, CPI district secretary Mahesh Kopulwar strongly condemned the administration for suppressing the march, calling it a clear violation of democratic and constitutional rights.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sagar Kawde said that organisers defied Section 37 due to which they were arrested and permission was denied because the Ganesh festival and Bakri Eid are on.
