Thousands of farmers violated prohibitory orders at Rawatsar in Hanumangarh district on Tuesday to enter the town and start a siege to press their demand for release of the stipulated quantum of irrigation water in the Phase I area of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project. The authorities, who had brought in water cannons and armed police personnel, including jawans from the Special Task Force, decided not to be provoked and allowed the groups to hold a meeting near the bus stand. The farmers, including 250 women, reached the town in the afternoon after marching 10 km from Chaiya village, where they were on a "padav" (siege) for the past week.