Farmers in Rajasthan protest for irrigation water regulation

Farmers in the Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan are entering the 39th day of protests demanding changes to irrigation water regulation and the release of water into the Anupgarh branch canal. Led by the ‘Khet Bachao Kisan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti’, the demonstrators attempted to march toward the Biridwal Head to demand sufficient water for Rabi crop sowing.

On Sunday, tensions escalated as farmers bypassed police barricades and engaged in minor skirmishes with law enforcement. Police eventually intercepted the convoy approximately two kilometers from the Biridwal Head, resulting in the detention of 10 individuals. During the unrest, protesters also burned effigies of the Chief Minister, the Irrigation Minister, and the Member of Parliament for Bikaner.

Negotiations have struggled to reach a resolution. A 12-member delegation has been protesting at the Indira Gandhi Canal Project building in Jaipur, and recent talks with Irrigation Minister Suresh Rawat ended without an agreement. Local authorities have implemented road blockades on the Suratgarh-Chhatargarh route to manage the movement of tractor-trolleys and other vehicles.