Amid allegations from farmer unions that several farmers detained by the police last week are still missing, the Punjab Police announced the immediate release of 450 more farmers on Monday. Authorities also committed to tracing the missing belongings of the farmers.
Farmer unions had filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, demanding the release and whereabouts of the missing farmers. The High Court is scheduled to hear the petition on Monday.
In a statement, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters, Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, confirmed that nearly 800 farmers had already been released from police custody. He emphasised that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had directed the immediate release of farmers including women, differently-abled persons, farmers with medical conditions, and those above the age of 60.
“In line with the directives of the Punjab Government, we are prioritising the release of such farmers and about 450 farmers are being released today,” he said.
Regarding concerns about the belongings of detained farmers, the IGP reassured that the Punjab Government has issued strict directives to prevent the misappropriation of their property.
