Tribune News Service

Hisar, June 7

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) today called off a plan to hold protests at all police stations in the state after the release of two arrested farmers on bail late last night. They have lifted the dharna from the Tohana police station.

The two farmers were arrested for allegedly trying to gherao JJP MLA Devendra Singh Babli’s residence last week.

“Ravi Azad and Vikas Sisar were released from jail in the early hours after which today’s programme to gherao all police stations in the state has been put off,” Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Joginder Ghasi Ram Nain told the media here.

Farmer leaders said the Fatehabad administration had agreed to cancel FIRs against protesters.

SKM leaders, including Rakesh Tikait, Joginder Singh Ugrahan and Gurnam Singh Charuni, held a meeting with district officials today.

After the meeting, Tikait said the police had agreed to release another activist Makhan Singh. “The process for his release has been set in motion.”

Speaking to reporters after coming out from jail, Azad said the farmers’ agitation against the three controversial farm laws had now become a “people’s movement”.

“This is a fight for farmers’ honour and the government will have to roll back the farm laws,” said Azad.

A large number of farmers led by BKU leader Rakesh Tikait have been staying put in the Sadar police station compound in Fatehabad since Saturday.

On June 1, Babli had faced a protest by a group of farmers who showed him black flags and raised slogans. He had alleged that some of the protesters resorted to unruly behaviour and smashed the windscreen of his SUV.

Farmers, however, had accused Babli of using abusive and threatening language.

Subsequently, two FIRs were registered. In one of the cases, the police had booked about 50 persons under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC. Makhan Singh was arrested in connection with the attempt-to-murder case.

On June 3, another FIR was registered against Sisar, Azad and others for allegedly trying to gherao Babli’s residence in Tohana.

Cases to be withdrawn

• Farmer leaders say the Fatehabad administration has agreed to cancel FIRs against protesters
• SKM leaders, including Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni, held a meeting with district officials on Monday
• After the meeting, Tikait said the police had agreed to release another activist Makhan Singh