Farmers Demand The Release Of Their Fellow Protesters: Here's What's Happening Now

A large number of farmers led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait stayed put outside Sadar police station in Fatehabad, Haryana, on Sunday, demanding the release of two farmers who were arrested for allegedly trying to gherao JJP MLA Devendra Singh Babli's residence last week.

The protesters also sought the withdrawal of the criminal case against the arrested farmers.

An FIR was registered against a group of farmers for allegedly trying to gherao Babli's residence here on Wednesday night. Two farmers, Vikas Sisar and Ravi Azad, were arrested in connection with the incident. They were booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

AFP

Sisar and Azad have applied for bail in a local court and their plea will be heard on Monday, according to their counsel.

Led by Tikait, the protesting farmers held talks with police officials and demanded that the case against Sisar and Azad be withdrawn.

Tikait and some other farmer leaders assembled at the grain market here on Saturday night and marched towards the police station.

Addressing the gathering outside the police station, Tikait said the protesting farmers will not budge till their fellow farmers are released.

Protests to continue

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader also said the agitation against the Centre's farm legislations will continue till the government repeals them and enacts a law on minimum support price.

BCCL

Tikait alleged the Centre wants to shift the central point of the farmers' agitation from Delhi's borders to Haryana's Rohtak-Jind belt.

This "ploy" will not be allowed to succeed, he said.

Tikait to meet Mamata

Tikait is scheduled to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on June 9 in Kolkata.

According to sources, Tikait will discuss the strategy to further intensify the ongoing farmers' protest against the new central farm laws.

"Rakesh Tikait will meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on June 9. He will congratulate her on the massive electoral victory. They will discuss the farmers' protest," sources told ANI.

AFP

Notably, Tikait had visited West Bengal before the state assembly elections and campaigned for Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Cow in police station a "protester"

An unlikely 'protester' turned up at a police station in Fatehabad along with farmers.

In protest against the arrest of farmers in Tohana,Haryana,farmers brought a cow from their house in Tohana Police Station and tied it there.#FarmersProtest#ArdasFor1984Ghalugharapic.twitter.com/TpMy57Ahmn

¡ª Kanav Bawa (K.V) (@kanav_bawa) June 6, 2021

Protesting farmers brought in a cow as a ¡°protester¡±, and said police officials will be responsible for giving the cow food and water.

The animal was seen tied to a small pole in the police station premises, with water and grass placed before it.