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4 killed, 6 injured in police fire

Four people were killed and six injured on Monday in Multai, Betul district, Madhya Pradesh, when police opened fire to quell a group of farmers who turned violent during an agitation.

The farmers, belonging to the Kisan Sangharsh Morcha, wanted adequate compensation for the damage caused to crops due to hailstorm and rains.

Additional Director General of Police (intelligence) A N Singh said that curfew has been imposed in the area following the violence which injured about 50 policemen, including the district superintendent of police.

The farmers had been agitating for the past several days. He said they turned violent and indulged in stone-throwing. They also set fire to the tehsil office and a police vehicle.

On Sunday, Singh said, the farmers had blocked roads at 17 places and set blaze to a state road transport corporation bus.

The police first resorted to lathicharge and tear gas shells to control the mob.

The situation in Multai is reported to be tense. Additional police force has been sent from nearby districts.

Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter.

UNI

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