Farmers torch police vehicles, disrupt traffic over land for airport near Mumbai

Hundreds of angry farmers protesting against a proposed international airport on the outskirts of Mumbai held up traffic, clashed with police and burned down four police vehicles on Thursday. A total of 14 people -- 10 police personnel and four protesters -- were injured in the violence.

Local resentment had been building against plans to turn an abandoned World War II airbase into an international airport at Nevali, about 45 km northeast of Mumbai. But Thursday's protests took an unexpected violent turn, as farmers whose land had been acquired for the project attacked police personnel.

TV images showed stick-wielding protesters blocking a busy local road with burning tyres and setting a police van on



fire. They clashed with police when they tried to disperse the crowd.

"Some of our policemen suffered injuries while trying to control the situation," said an officer who did not wish to be named. An assistant police commissioner was among the injured.

The violent situation in Nevali village - which statrted around 8 am - came under control later in the day.

Senior police officials from Thane, who rushed to the spot, requested additional police force as a backup. Police were present in large numbers in the area to ensure that the situation is under control.

Some of the injured were rushed to a private hospital, while others were taken to a civil hospital in the area.