Farmers Movement Archive

Farmer told to sign Rs 5 lakh bond for inciting people in UP

AGRA: Accusing him of “instigating” people against agriculture laws, administration in UP’s Agra district has issued a notice to a prominent farmer leader asking him to sign a surety bond promising "lawful behaviour". Shyam Singh Chahar, 48, locally known as an anti-corruption crusader, has been served with the notice to sign the bond promising lawful behaviour for a year against a surety of Rs 5lakh. Chahar, meanwhile, has refused to sign the bond saying he would prefer to go jail. Based on the recommendation of local police, additional city magistrate (fourth) issued the challan of Rs 5lakh against Chahar. The notice says, “I additional city magistrate (ACM) is satisfied with the report submitted by the inspector in-charge of the Sadar police station and take cognizance of the matter under CrPC 107/116.” The notice, issued by ACM Vinod Kumar, has asked the farmer leader “why he should not be bound for one year by presenting a personal bond letter of Rs 5lakh value and guarantee of two people for security.” Chahar told TOI, “In any case, I will not submit any bond letter in court. I am talking to my lawyers and will challenge the matter in the High Court. I will continue to hold public meetings and will not halt the protest against the farm laws. I am not afraid to go to jail.” He added, “The Supreme Court has found the farmers’ protest at Delhi borders legal. It has constituted a committee to take note of farmers’ concerns related to the three farm laws. But, on the instruction of the state government, authorities are trying to spread terror among farmers.” Chahar, a resident of Rohta Bagh village, has been actively taking up issues concerning farmers for the last eight years. Locals also credit him with exposing corruption in the irrigation and agriculture department.

The Times of India

2021-02-02

Agra