Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad   

Haveri: 52 farmers released on bail

FREE TO GO HOME: Some of the farmers arrested by the police in connection with the recent violence in Haveri district over shortage of fertilizers, returning home after being released from the Dharwad prison on Saturday.

DHARWAD: As many as 52 farmers, who were arrested in connection with the violent protests in Haveri district over shortage of fertilisers on June 10 and 11, have been released on bail since last three days.

It might be recalled that farmers were languishing in Dharwad prison for almost a month as soon after their arrests they were shifted to Dharwad for security reasons, especially in the wake of tense situation in Haveri district.

However, 23 farmers are still in the Dharwad prison, who have not been able to get bail so far.

While a few organisations and individuals had charged the police with arresting innocent farmers, the police had been maintaining that only those who were connected to the violence in Haveri district had been arrested.

In an apparent answer to the allegation, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had categorically stated that persons creating trouble in the name of farmers would be dealt with seriously.

Meanwhile, MP from Dharwad North Pralhad Joshi appealed to the State Government to release the farmers who were not involved in any kind of violence during Haveri protests.

When it became clear that the Government would not release farmers on its own, it was the Janata Dal (Secular) leaders who rushed to their help even before the BJP could do so. Now with the help of the Janata Dal (Secular), 52 farmers have secured bail and some of them have already reached their villages.

While 27 farmers were released from Dharwad prison on Thursday and Friday, 25 farmers were released from the prison on Saturday.

The Janata Dal (Secular) sources said that efforts were on to get the remaining farmers in the jail released on bail.

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