Farmers, marching towards Talwandi Sabo to protest at the Sangat Darshan programmes of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, for demanding release of their arrested leaders, were detained by the police at various places in Bathinda, Muktsar and Mansa districts.
Farmers, under the banner of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, were detained near Nandgarah on the Bathinda-Badal road, near villages Jangi Rana, Chathewala and Bhai Rupa.
Besides this, some farmers, along with parents of the minor Dalit girl, who was allegedly raped by three upper caste people in Gandhar village, were detained in Teori village in Muktsar district while many were detained at Behni Bhaga and Khyala Kalan in Mansa district. According to reports, over 20 of these protesters have been sent in police custody.
The farmers' unions had announced to stage protests at Sangat Darshan programmes of the chief minister to demand release of six of their leaders arrested during the May 26 protest to demand the arrest of main accused Gurlal Singh in the alleged rape of a Dalit minor girl in Gandhar village in Muktsar district.
The minor girl was allegedly raped by three upper caste people in January.
{{/usCountry}}The minor girl was allegedly raped by three upper caste people in January.
{{/usCountry}}Two of the accused were arrested earlier, but farmers had waged a long agitation in Bathinda demanding arrest of Gurlal Singh. The accused was arrested, but farmers' leaders are still locked in jail.
President, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), Joginder Singh Ugrahan said that farmers would continue their agitation till their leaders are released from jail unconditionally.