Farmers Movement Archive

In Kaithal, protesters strip over DC’s absence

KAITHAL/JIND: When Kaithal deputy commissioner Sujan Singh didn’t reach the spot to receive a memorandum from farmers who were observing ‘daman virodhi diwas’, the protesters staged a dharna in mini secretariat and started stripping off as a mark of protest. Farmers said the government and its officials were not concerned about the plight of farmers who had been camping at Delhi borders since November 27 against the Centre’s three agri marketing laws. Later, farmers pasted a memorandum of their demands at the gate of the deputy commissioner’s office and went away while raising slogans against the government and administration. Vikram Singh, one of the protesters, said, “BJP leaders have forgotten their time when they used to protest before 2014 by removing their clothes. Therefore, we also did the same by holding a half-naked protest to make them remember their time. Even the district administration’s officials ignored us and didn’t come to receive our memorandum. Now, officials are acting on the directions of the government and trying to instigate farmers. Every promise of BJP leaders has been exposed before the public. Farmers will not step down until the laws are repealed,” he added. In Jind district, officials reached the protest site at Khatkar toll plaza. Two SDMs of Uchana and Jind city reached the spot and took the memorandum. Farmers submitted their demands of withdrawal of cases registered against farmers and media, repeal of three farm laws, cancellation of FIRs, and handing over of tractors seized during January 26 tractor parade. Farmers claimed that they forced officials to walk to the protest site. Kaithal DC could not be reached despite several attempts.

The Times of India

2021-02-25

Chandigarh