Farmers Movement Archive

MLA ASSAULT: 17 farmers surrender, 3 arrested earlier get bail

Bathinda: Days after the assault on BJP MLA Arun Narang at Malout town of Muktsar district, 17 farmers, mainly activists of BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) evening surrendered before police on Wednesday. These included BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) Muktsar district president Sukhdev Singh. Meanwhile, three farmers, out of four arrested by police on Sunday, were also granted bail and released from jail. Earlier in the day, farmers, led by BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) state president Jagjit Singh Dallewal assembled at Guru Nanak Dev Chowk in Malout and after addressing the protesters, surrendered to the police. They were taken to Malout police station in two police vehicles. Police had arrested Surjit Singh, Nem Pal Singh and Baldev Singh of Bodhiwala village and Gurmeet Singh of Khunan Kalan village on March 28. Barring Gurmeet, the other three got bail. Sources said police and the farm organisation had reached an understanding wherein the main farm leaders, who were at the spot on March 27, when the Abohar MLA was assaulted, would be taken into custody and police would not oppose bail of the three arrested in the court. Dallewal met senior police officials earlier in the day, before 17 farmers presented themselves for surrender. “Some of those who have surrendered may not be wanted in the case and are district-level functionaries of the organisation. The leaders wanted to show a way to the farm activists by presenting themselves for arrest. They wanted to tell the cadre that going to jail for a bigger cause should not be seen in bad light, as the bigger cause before us at present is to strengthen the protest on the borders of Delhi. The BJP wanted farmers to be involved in cases in Punjab so that they do not reach the Delhi borders and the onging protests against the three contentious farm laws is weakened. But we have asked the leaders to present themselves for arrest and asked others to reach the Delhi borders and also take care of their crops,” said Dallewal. “We have ensured that the three arrested, who are innocent, get out of jail on bail,” he added. Faridkot range inspector general of police Kaustubh Sharma said, “Some persons have surrendered in the case and three have got bail. Those who have surrendered will be duly tested for Covid-19 and protocol will be followed in presenting them in the court.” Muktsar SP investigations Rajpal Singh said the 17 who surrendered “will be presented before the judicial officer for remand”. A large number of farmers had allegedly thrashed Narang and even torn his clothes when he had come to Malout to hold a press conference. The police had registered a case under various sections, including attempt to murder charges, against more than 300 persons on the complaint of Muktsar SP (Headquarters) Gurmail Singh, who had sustained injuries in the attack on the MLA.

The Times of India

2021-04-02

Chandigarh