Source: India Today
Clashes erupted on a national highway in Maharashtra near Thane between the protesting farmers and police on Thursday. Several policemen have been injured and additional forces have been deployed in the area, said sources.
The farmers were protesting against the walling-up of an old British-period aerodrome in the area by the Navy. The 12600-acre premises belongs to the Navy. But over the years, it had been encroached upon by the locals. Notably, the farmers had forwarded a petition to the concerned authorities. After the petition got rejected, the farmers resorted to protest.
On Thursday, farmers from 17 villages were holding protests at 10 spots. The biggest of them was on the Thane-Badlapur highway, where traffic came to halt due to the protest. Clashes erupted when the police tried to disperse the protestors.
Agitated farmers and their families block 10 roads and torched vehicles.