Chhavi Bhatia

Hisar: Hundreds of farmers gheraoed the residence of Inspector General of Police, Hisar to protest against the brute force used on them by the district police and to demand release of the 85 farmers including women, who were arrested by the district police. Many state and national highways in Haryana and some parts of Punjab were also jammed for two hours, 5 to 7 PM by peasants after a call was made by BKU leader Gurnam Singh Charuni. The farmers were later released in the evening, prompting the protesters to cancel their previous programme of gherao local police stations if the demand was not met.

Around 4:30 in the evening, Charuni had urged the farmers to “immediately” block key highways in Haryana, following which farmers reached GT Road, Jind-Patiala highway,KMP,Shambhu border,Hisar-Delhi highway, Narnaund and blocked the roads. They, however, allowed ambulances, oxygen tankers and other vehicles of essential services to pass. The highways were thrown open at 7 in the evening. Meanwhile, hundreds of angry farmers assembled near IG residence, demanding release of their fellow comrades who were arrested by the police during the afternoon confrontation. Cops had unleashed lathis, tear gas and if some videos are to go by, even stones, to disperse farmers who were headed to boycott CM Khattar’s programme.

Farmers from nearby villages, dressed in white kurta pyjama could be seen walking towards the official residence of the IG to participate in the sit-in. Even as the farmers continued to gather, within minutes, local Sikh youths also reached the place with paani sewa. “They are our anndata. We cannot let them sit in this sizzling heat without water or anything. If required, we will even bring food for them,” said a young man who did not wish to be named.

In a parallel show of strength, Rakesh Tikait, who also rushed to Hisar to support farmers, addressed them near the Ramayana Toll Plaza in the evening. “The government wants to quell our movement by using lathis and force. It should know that aandolans of this momentum do not end like this. We won’t be cowed down. The government is delusional if it thinks so,” roared Tikait among cheers from farmers who were upbeat despite the police brutality earlier in the day.