A protest by cattle rearers outside Sabar Dairy in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district turned violent on Monday, leaving three policemen injured as officers fired tear gas to disperse a stone-pelting crowd, an official said.
At least 40 people have been detained following the unrest outside the Sabarkantha District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, commonly known as Sabar Dairy, near Himmatnagar town, District Superintendent of Police Vijay Patel said.
Patel said a large group of cattle rearers gathered outside the dairy at around 11 a.m. to press for an increase in milk procurement prices.
“When they were stopped near the main gate, some protesters began hurling stones at the police, which left three policemen injured. Some police vehicles were also damaged,” Patel said.
“To control the situation and disperse the mob, we fired nearly 50 tear gas shells. So far, we have detained 40 protesters. The situation is under control, and adequate force has been deployed at the site to maintain law and order,” he said.
Dhavalsinh Zala, the Independent MLA from Bayad constituency, arrived at the protest site to show his support for the cattle rearers but fled when the demonstration turned violent.
Zala said the cattle rearers are demanding a 20 to 25 per cent hike in milk procurement prices instead of the 9 to 10 per cent increase announced by Sabar Dairy this year.
“Hundreds of cattle rearers, who are members of this dairy, gathered outside seeking meaningful dialogue with the board of directors over procurement prices. They must get justice. I urge the board to accept their demand. I condemn the police action against cattle rearers, who are the real owners of this dairy,” Zala said.
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