After farmers press for withdrawal of FIR, admn agrees for meeting with DC on June 10

Farmers under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha protested at the Ramayan toll plaza on the Hisar-Rohtak highway demanding the withdrawal of FIRs registered in connection with the February 2024 Kheri Chopta incident.

Farmers held panchayat at the toll plaza today to protest registration of criminal cases against those who had participated in the agitation for raising the demand of compensation for damaged crops last year.

The protesters made two lanes toll-free and warned of a highway blockade if their demands weren’t met. Farmer leaders warned that if FIRs were not withdrawn, they would oppose the Chief Minister’s rally in Hisar on June 9.

The panchayat saw participation from multiple farmer unions, khaps and local activists, who began gathering at the toll plaza from early morning. The protest was organised peacefully. Farmers, however, said that they would escalate the agitation if no concrete response came from the administration. The toll plaza witnessed a heavy police deployment throughout the day, with barricades set up as a precaution.

SDM Rajesh Khoth and DSP Ravinder Sangwan arrived at the spot to negotiate with protesters. They assured farmers a meeting with the Hisar Deputy Commissioner (DC) on June 10. Following this, farmers ended their demonstration and disbanded the panchayat. They also formed 50-member committee to decide the protest strategy.

While addressing protesters, farmer leaders said FIRs were registered in violation of a verbal agreement with the district authorities in February last year, following the police-farmer clash near Kheri Chopta. Several farmers were reportedly injured in the incident. Protesting farmers had also attacked officials of the administration and vehicles.

Kailash Malik, Dashrath Malik, Kuldeep Kharar, Dilbag Singh Hooda and Harshdeep Gill, along with support from various khaps, were among farmer leaders who were present on the occasion. They said a meeting would be held on June 10 to chalk out further course of action after meeting with the Deputy Commissioner.