Bengaluru police detain some protestors during Bharat Bandh

Despite some farmers being in preventive custody, farmers organisations continued their protests and took out a march till Mysore Bank circle in the central business district of Bengaluru

Bengaluru police detained some farmers who were protesting against the three Central farm laws enacted last year during the nationwide day-long Bharat Bandh on Monday. The protesting farmers were picked up from Maurya Circle in the heart of the city, farmers claimed.

A prominent farmer leader from Karnataka claimed that some farmers were arrested without any reason in Bengaluru. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo/File/Representative use)

Kurubur Shanthakumar, a prominent farmer leader from Karnataka, claimed that the farmers were arrested without any reason.

“From Maurya circle, without giving any information, they arrested our farmers and brought them to Adugodi police station. Farmers said that they will not get down from the bus. Why were we arrested in violation of the law? Did we do any procession, anything illegal or caused any disturbance? The police have not told us anything,” Shanthakumar alleged.

Despite some farmers being in preventive custody, farmers organisations continued their protests and took out a march till Mysore Bank circle in the central business district of Bengaluru.

Kodihalli Chandrashekar, the president of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha has said that several rallies from various parts of Bengaluru will converge in the heart of the city to protest against the farm laws, price rise etc.

“After Covid-19 (related lockdowns) people are just coming out, economic activities have just resumed and people should not face any more problems. I have already requested protesters that they should not do anything that adds to the problems of people,” Basavaraj Bommai said on Monday.

He added that the farmers should find other ways to express their disagreements.