Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has been released from Mukhtsar Sahib prison and is set to hold a press conference at Bahadurgarh Fort today, according to a video message released by the leader.
Pandher strongly criticized the AAP-led Punjab government, accusing it of “destroying” the farmers’ front in the state. In the video, he said, “I have been released from Mukhtsar Sahib prison, and I will reach Bahadurgarh Fort around 9 am and will hold a press conference there… I strongly condemn the Punjab government and the way our fronts were destroyed… We will hold discussions on our future course of action with our partners.”
The release of Pandher follows the detention of several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is currently on an indefinite fast, and Sarwan Singh Pandher, by the Punjab Police on March 19.
On March 24, the Punjab government announced the release of 450 more farmers from police detention. The Information and Public Relations Department of Punjab stated, “Adopting a considerate approach towards farmers, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has decided to immediately release 450 more farmers from police detention.”
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill, shared that approximately 800 farmers have now been released from custody by the state government.
Despite the releases, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) leader Harinder Singh Lakhowal and Samyukt Kisan Morcha leader Raminder Singh refused to attend a meeting called by the Punjab government on March 21. They instead announced a protest at district headquarters across the state on March 28, alleging “repression” by the state government.
The leaders of the farmers’ groups accused the Punjab administration of using excessive force against the protesting farmers and unlawfully detaining several leaders. They also cited unfavorable conditions for not participating in the meeting.
Notably, just two days after the Punjab police cleared the Sambhu and Khanauri borders and removed the temporary structures set up by the protesting farmers on March 19, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian had called for a meeting with farmer leaders on March 21 in Chandigarh to address the issues raised by the farmers.
The situation remains tense as farmers continue to demand justice and accountability from the state government.