Tohana: Scores of farmers led by Rakesh Tikait, Gurnam Singh Chaduni and Samukta Kisan Morcha leader Yogendra Yadav on Saturday night staged a sit-in at Sadar police station in Fatehabad, demanding the release of fellow farmers.
They had also sought the registration of a case against local JJP MLA Devender Babli for allegedly hurling abuses at them. Babli later expressed regret for his “inappropriate” words against farmers.
In a short video clip released on social media, Babli said he “forgives” those people for whatever they had done with him on June 1.
“I uttered some words which were not appropriate. As I am a public representative, I take back all those words and express regret (over it)”, said Babli.
Earlier, Tikait and Chaduni along with protesters gathered at the police station in Fatehabad, demanding the release of two farmers who were arrested over a gherao of Babli’s residence. They also sought the registration of a case against Babli for allegedly hurling abuses at them.
Tikait, Chaduni and their fellow protesters first assembled at the grain market here and then marched towards the police station to court arrest.
A heavy police force was deployed at the police station.
Talking to the media at the Sadar police station premises, Yadav said the issue of release of two farmers has not been resolved yet. “There is a deadlock in talks between us and the police administration,” said Yadav.
“We raised two issues and the first one was that we wanted those who have been arrested should be released and if they cannot release them then we should be put behind bars,” said Yadav, adding that farmers were there to court arrest.
The other matter related to Babli’s alleged misbehaviour stands resolved, as the legislator has tendered an apology to farmers, said Yadav.
Yadav said Babli had not lodged any complaint against two farmers, Vikas and Ravi Azad, who had been arrested by the police.
But the government was not ready to withdraw the case against them, said Yadav.
“When we asked the police administration about the status of these two farmers,” Yadav said, they were told farmers could come after two days for holding talks on this issue.
“We have come here not to listen and we came here for resolution of the issue,” said Yadav.
With the Haryana police remaining adamant on its stand, Yadav said farmers have decided to stage a dharna there till their issue is resolved. “We will continue to sit in a peaceful and democratic manner,” asserted Yadav.
Women were also staging a sit-in at the police station along with the farmers.
Farmers said they would mobilise more people at the police station and would also make arrangements for food and water for protesters.
Farmer leader Chaduni earlier had said “false” cases registered against farmers should also be withdrawn and a case should be lodged against Babli for “hurling abuses and misbehaving with them”.
On June 1, the Jannayak Janta Party legislator had faced a protest by a group of farmers who showed him black flags and raised slogans. Babli had alleged that some of the protesters resorted to unruly behaviour and smashed the windscreen of his SUV.
Farmers, however, accused Babli of publicly using abusive and threatening language.
Protesting farmers had said on Wednesday that they would gherao all police stations across the state on June 7 if MLA Babli did not tender an apology by June 6.
Several farmer groups in the state have been opposing the public functions of the BJP-JJP leaders.
Earlier addressing the gathering at the grain market, farmer leader Tikait said their agitation against the farm laws would continue till the government repealed these laws and enacted one on MSP. He asserted that the government would have to withdraw the three farm laws.
“The government of India will have to withdraw these black laws. Be it in 2022 or 2023. The laws will be withdrawn in 2024. It is a guarantee,” he said, asserting that the agitation would continue till 2024.
Talking about the alleged adverse impact of the implementation of these laws, he said one day the grains would be locked in the godowns of big people and traders.
SKM leader Yogendra Yadav also slammed the Central government.
“In this one year, farmers have made them realise that they understand everything and they (Centre) cannot befool farmers. The government may take as much time as it can but these laws will be scrapped,” said Yadav.
