450 farmers released from Patiala jail following Punjab Government's directive

A day after the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government announced the immediate release of 450 additional farmers, the authorities at Central Jail Patiala released the detained farmers early Tuesday morning. These farmers had been arrested last week during a police crackdown on the dharna sites in Shambhu and Khanauri.

Supporters and farmer union members had gathered outside the jail since Monday evening to welcome their leaders. However, they had to wait for more than 12 hours as jail officials explained that certain formalities needed to be completed before the farmers could be freed. It was only around 5 am that the farmers were finally released.

Earlier on Monday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill had announced that the Punjab government had already released approximately 800 farmers from police custody.

“Punjab Chief Minister has directed the immediate release of farmers, including women, differently-abled individuals, farmers with medical conditions, and those above the age of 60. In line with these directives, we are prioritising their release, and about 450 farmers are being released,” he said on Monday.