Image courtesy: The Hindu
Many farmers were injured during Haryana police’s lathi-charge on agitating farmers at Asthal Bohar area in Rohtak district on April 3, 2021. Farmers’ group Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) strongly condemned the attack on peaceful protesters.
Incensed farmers came out on streets with black flags and gathered in large numbers at Asthal Bohar, where the Haryana Chief Minister’s helicopter was to land, to protest the continuous anti-farmer behaviour by the Bharatiya Janata party-led (BJP) government.
“However, the police unleashed violence against protestors and did not spare even women protestors. Several were injured seriously in this incident,” said SKM leader Darshan Pal.
Following the incident, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Haryana youth leader Ravi Azad was arrested for alleged involvement in various cases. Decrying this repressive behaviour, the SKM demanded Azad’s immediate and unconditional release.
Along with farmer unions, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda also condemned the lathicharge on April 4. According to The Tirbune, he claimed the BJP-JJP government was shedding the blood of those farmers who feed the nation by irrigating the fields with their sweat.
A similar protest also took place against BJP MP Duggal in Fatehabad on Saturday. On April 2, a state level convention was organised against the “draconian” Haryana laws on regarding the recovery of damage to public property that seeks compensation from protesters. Friday also witnessed the attack on farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in Rajasthan.
“The SKM would like to warn BJP that its agitation will only intensify despite the many reprehensible attacks by BJP and its governments on the farmers’ movement,” said Darshan Pal.
Meanwhile, in Punjab, farmers, farm workers, women, employees, students, youth, commission agents, teachers, university staff and other citizens attended a joint meeting at the State Agriculture University, Ludhiana. More than 100 organisations took part in this meeting to discuss wheat harvesting while Delhi protests continue with the same strength in participation.
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