New Delhi: A group of farmers seeking a loan waiver from the state government in Madhya Pradesh (MP) was allegedly forced to strip down to their underwear outside a police station for hours on Wednesday.
The farmers’ protest was part of Congress’s ‘Khet Bachao-Kisan Bachao’ (Save Farms, Save Farmers) agitation.
“The farmers had gathered at District Commissioner’s office to present a list of demands which included seeking a loan waiver,” eyewitness and social activist Ravikant Mishra told Gulf News. “The protest was organised by the opposition Congress. When the protest turned violent, the police used teargas and water cannons. The farmers were later detained at a local police station in Bundelkhand and forced to strip.”
Local Congress leader Yadvendra Singh said the protesters became angry after the Disctrict Commissioner (DC) refused to meet them.
“Thousands of farmers took part in the protests in Tikamgarh area of Bundelkhand. But the DC did not meet the farmers nor receive memorandum of their demands. This angered farmers but instead of listening to their demands, police detained them and were made to strip,” Singh told media.
As many as 30 farmers were reportedly injured as police used tear gas shells to disperse farmers.
“The police used force and almost 30 farmers were injured. When I reached home, I received information that around 30-40 farmers have been detained by police at Dehat police station. I went there and found they had been beaten up. They were made to sit just in their underwear. It is a clear violation of human rights and I will file a complaint with video and photos to [the] National Human Rights Commission,” Singh added.
Meanwhile, state Chief Minister (CM) Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused Congress of “sensationalising the incident.”
“The opposition Congress created a situation in which stones were used by farmers against police. This vitiated the atmosphere,” Chouhan told media.
State Home Minister Bhupendra Singh has asked the police chief to investigate whether the farmers were forced to strip or they did so of their own volition.
“It was a Congress campaign and there was stone-throwing against police. We need to know whether the stripping allegation is political and whether the police disrobed farmers or they stripped in protest. The director-general of police has been asked to enquire and submit a report within three days,” Home Minister Singh told Gulf News.
Kumar Prateek, Tikamgarh Superintendent of Police, said force was only used after farmers started throwing stones at police.
“The use of force was justified as the farmers pelted the policemen [with stones]. At least 15 police constables were hurt in the incident. However, the allegations of stripping are baseless,” Prateek told Gulf News.
