Tohana clash standoff: All 3 activists released on bail, farmers call of sit-in at Haryana police stations

Fatehabad: The Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday called off its plan to hold protests at “all” police stations in Haryana after the release of all three arrested farmers on bail following clash with JJP MLA Devendra Babli and injury to his private secretary. While two farmers, arrested for allegedly trying to gherao Babli’s residence last week, were released early Monday morning, the third was released in the evening.

Farm leaders even claimed that the administration had agreed to withdraw all three FIRs registered at Tohana police station. On Saturday evening, JJP MLA Babli had apologised for using inappropriate language during confrontation last Tuesday, after SKM leaders Rakesh Tikait, Gurnam Singh Charuni and Yogendra Yadav reached Tohana for the mass court arrest, demanding apology from him and withdrawal of criminal cases against farmers.

Addressing the dharna at Sadar Tohana police station earlier in the day, Yadav said the administration had “accepted our demand orally but the government plays big games, so the sit-in will continue until our farmer friend is released.” While Ravi Azad and Vikas Sisar walked out of jail in the early hours, Makhan Singh’s orders were issued when the SKM leaders announced to continue their sit-in at Tohana police station till his release.

When TOI tried to contact Fatehabad deputy commissioner Narhari Singh Bangar, superintendent of police Rajesh Kumar and additional deputy commissioner Munish Nagpal to confirm the agreement with the farmers, none took the phone call. The district administration had not even issued any statement in this regard till the time of filing of this report .

A large number of farmers led by BKU leader Rakesh Tikait have been staying put in the Sadar police station compound since Saturday. Besides, seeking release of the arrested farmers, they had also sought the withdrawal of the criminal case against them.

The SKM stated that a decision was taken on June 4 that social boycott and protests against leaders of BJP and allies will be in the context of their official programmes (government or political), and not personal or private (like weddings, funerals etc). It has also decided to mark the martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur, a valiant warrior who gave land rights to the tillers of the land, at protest sites on June 9.

Meanwhile, in Bathinda, farm organisation Kirti Kisan Union decided to oppose activities of political parties in villages of its influence. The decision was taken in a meeting headed by president Nirbhay Singh Dhudike and vice-president Rajinder Singh. They said political parties had not properly supported the ongoing farmer protest, but raised their voice in favour of farmers only for political reasons. They said parties were worried about awareness among people due to farmer agitation.

Govt will have to withdraw FIRs’

Senior advocate Manmohan Rai said there are many sections in all the three FIRs registered in Tohana clash case which are not compoundable, so as per provisions there cannot be a settlement in these only on the basis of an affidavit of the complainant. All three FIRs will have to be withdrawn by the state government under Section 321 (withdrawal from prosecution) of the Criminal Procedure Code. It is the court’s discretion whether to withdraw cases or not. The government had applied for withdrawal of an FIR registered against Hisar MLA Kamal Gupta under Section 321 of CrPC and the lower court refused to withdraw the case. However, revision was filed later in the high court, he said.

BKU seeks funds for sheds

Bathinda: Following damage to tents at protest sites on the Delhi border due to storm and rain, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) has decided to put up a shed at the protest site and appealed for donations for the purpose. The shed, which is to be set up over 20,000 square feet to accommodate up to 5,000 persons, will cost around Rs 16 lakh. Iron sheet sheds are being set up on 8,000 square feet area to accommodate 2,000 persons. This will cost Rs 6.5 lakh at Rs 80 per square feet. Protest sites at Singhu and Tikri border already have sheds.

BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) has its pandal near Pakora chowk at Bahadurgarh near Tikri border. Organisation president Joginder Singh Ugrahan and secretary Shingara Singh Mann said, “Three times in a fortnight, our tents were badly damaged due to storm and rains... we have decided to build an iron shed.” During a bhog ceremony in his village in Malwa region, an NRI made an appeal on Sunday and collected Rs 1.25 lakh, said Ugrahan.

Protest over new terms for tubewell connection

Karnal: Hundreds of farmers protested in Karnal on Monday against the new condition of issuing tubewell connections. Led by a BKU (Charuni) functionary Jagdeep Singh Aulakh, they reached the mini secretariat and handed over a memorandum to the district authority for chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, demanding withdrawal of the condition to get an NOC from the irrigation department for the tubewell connection.

Aulakh said the BJP government had again shown its anti-farmer face by issuing the order that no connection will be released for land which fell under the command area of a canal. He said thousands of the farmers in the state had been waiting for connections for 6-7 years. They have fulfilled all conditions of the government including purchasing of specific 3-star motor, and even deposited a fee for the connection.


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