JOIN USCops keep farmers waiting, to meet PM
Alleging police high-handedness in restraining them from meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to submit a petition, farmers on Sunday, staged a flash protest on Mysuru-Nanjangud road. They were arrested and released later.
Farmers, under the banner of State Sugarcane Growers Association, had planned to meet the prime minister during the latter’s visit to Amphitheatre (open air theatre) at Manasagangotri, to open the 103rd edition of Indian Science Congress.
The police authorities had also issued emergent duty pass to association president Kurubur Shanthakumar, general secretary Attahalli Devaraj, convener Hallikerehundi Bhagyaraj and leaders Honnur Prakash and Mahadevappa.
DCP (law and order) Dr H T Shekar, who arrived at the association office, near Gun House (Shivarathreeshwara Circle), took them to the varsity guesthouse, only to keep them under watchful eyes. Unaware, the farmer leaders kept waiting at the guest house, while the prime minister left the venue after the conference.
SPG blamed
When the farmers sought a reply, the police authorities allegedly blamed it on special protection group (SPG) personnel for denying any request to meet the prime minister.
The farmers felt that they had been cheated by the police authorities, in spite of submitting a written plea to the authorities concerned including the prime minister’s office (PMO).
They staged a flash stir along with fellow farmers by blocking the road near a hotel on Mysuru-Nanjangud road, only to be taken into preventive custody. They were later taken to the city armed reserve (CAR) police grounds and were released later.