Withdraw cases against farm leaders: Samyukt Kisan Morcha

Chandigarh, June 28

The legal cell of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has condemned the registration of five “false” cases at different police stations against farm leaders, including cell convener Prem Singh Bhangu, social activists and singers.

The cases were registered under Sections 148, 149, 186, 188, 332, 341, 353 and 427, IPC. Legal cell members, including Bhangu, Raminder Singh Patiala, Inderjit Singh, Vikas Sishar, Kiranjit Singh Sekhon and Dharmendr Malik, in a joint statement said registration of cases amounted to highhandedness by the Chandigarh Police and administration who forcibly tried to foil a peaceful ‘Save Agriculture-Save Democracy Day’ march “by putting up barricades on the road and using water cannons”. They said peaceful protest was a democratic right of the people, affirmed recently by the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court in the Disha Ravi and Natasha cases. “Protesters were provoked by the police by using force to defame the agitation. Farmers didn’t indulge in violent activity nor deterred public servants from discharging their duty,” they claimed. — TNS