Chandigarh: A court on Wednesday granted bail to two key leaders of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) — Shagnadeep Singh Jiund and Baldev Singh Jiund — who were lodged in Bathinda Central Jail.
Confirming the development, state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said that although bail has been secured for the two leaders, protests across Punjab will continue until all workers arrested during the recent demonstrations are released. He announced that “victory rallies” will be held across the state on Thursday.
The administration had stepped up security since Tuesday night to prevent a large-scale protest planned in Bathinda. Several farmer leaders were taken into preventive custody, and police erected barricades at multiple locations to stop farmers marching towards the city. As a result, protesters staged sit-ins on highways and other routes.
Ugrahan said police action would not dampen the morale of farmers and asserted that the agitation would remain active until all detained members are freed.
Earlier, tension had escalated in Jiund village of Bathinda district following clashes between farmers and police. BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) workers had launched an agitation against the arrest of Shagnapreet Singh of Jiund village and Baldev Singh of Chaoeke.
In view of the proposed indefinite dharna outside the Mini Secretariat in Bathinda, the administration had imposed restrictions. Sources said police conducted late-night raids at the residences of several farmer leaders. Some farmers were reportedly placed under house arrest, while others were detained.
On February 6, the union’s plan to hold an indefinite protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Bathinda was disrupted after police set up barricades at various points. Tear gas shells, water cannons and mild force were used to disperse advancing groups of farmers, officials had said.
