Several youth participating in the farmers protests have been allegedly kidnapped by the Haryana Police, families of the victims said.
Adressing a press conference, several leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha alleged rampant police brutality and kidnappings of the participants of peaceful demonstrations at the borders of Haryana.
Farmers have been on a protest since February 13, when they started marching towards New Delhi, in support of a law governing the Minimum Support Price, a demand accepted by central government following one year of agitation by the farmers in 2020.
The farmers, however, were not allowed to move ahead towards Haryana. In fact, several hundreds have been injured in the Police highhandedness at the Khanauri and Shambu borders. On 21st, a young farmer Shubhkaran Singh was killed.
“Shubkaran Singh was barely 250 meters away and shot dead in his head earlier this week. It is unfortunate that a 21-year-old is killed for seeking his rights,” the farmer leaders said addressing a press conference at the Khanauri border.
He said, “On 21 February, the Khanauri border saw brutality at its peak. The Police vandalized over 25 tractors and vehicles, and brutally assaulted civilians, leaving them with broken limbs. Shockingly, victims were further victimized as they were forcibly taken across barricades packed in sacks. Many others were assaulted before being unlawfully detained.
During the conference, a brother of one of the kidnapped youths stood alongside the speakers, emphasizing the severity of the situation. “We have not seen Jalianwala Bagh massacre. But this situation on the Haryana border reminds us of that. It is tragic that those inflicting the volence are those who sought freedom then,” said the family member of a youth allegedly kidnapped.
One 26-year-old Preetpal Singh is among those who have been abducted, he said, while seeking action against the accused Policemen.
“The fake news of abduction of one farmer named Preet s/o Davinder Singh r/oVillage Nawa Gao Dist Sangrur by Haryana Police at Khanauri border is strongly denied.He is admitted in PGI Rohtak by Haryana police for treatment and is completely out of danger,” Haryana Police said, while denying the allegations.
“The Central Government is committing hooliganism with the participation of the state government”, exclaimed Sukjinder Sinhg Kosa, another member while describing the attacks on the Langars, medical facilities and journalists.
“The farmer fronts seek swift action against the alleged police brutality. We will raise black flags on our houses, these flags will represent our resentment”, another speaker added.
Of particular concern was the fronts’ statement about the abduction of five farmers. Among them were civilians from Haryana, 4 of whom returned bearing the physical scars of severe beatings inflicted during their captivity.
The alarming surge in abductions by the police has called for this outcry, where the farmers call for accountability and justice for the innocent and unarmed protestors.
Farmers have so far had four rounds of discussions with the government, however, nothing has come out of the four rounds of talks, as of yet.