450 Farmers Released from Patiala Jail Following Punjab CM's Directive
In a major development following Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s directive, 450 farmers were released from Central Jail Patiala early Tuesday morning. These individuals had been detained during a police crackdown at the dharna sites in Shambhu and Khanauri last week.
Supporters and members of various farmer unions had started assembling outside the jail on Monday evening to welcome their fellow protestors. However, the release was delayed by over 12 hours as jail authorities cited the need to complete essential formalities. It wasn’t until around 5 a.m. on Tuesday that the farmers were finally freed.
The release comes a day after the Punjab government announced the immediate discharge of detained farmers. On Monday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill stated that nearly 800 farmers had already been released from custody.
"The Chief Minister has issued clear directions to prioritize the release of farmers, especially women, the elderly, differently-abled individuals, and those with medical conditions," Gill said. "In line with these orders, approximately 450 more farmers are being released."
The move has been seen as a significant step toward de-escalating tensions and addressing concerns raised by farmer unions in the ongoing protests.
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