The Bharatiya Krishik Samaj (BKS) has threatened to observe Independence Day as a “Black Day” if the government did not concede the farmers’ demand for unconditional release of all the 180 farmers and other family members by August 14.
BKS State president Lingaraj Patil, on Wednesday, also demanded that the government order a judicial inquiry into the police excesses during the Mahadayi protest at some villages in Naragund and Navalgund taluks last week.
He said the police acted brutally on innocent farmers, who were protesting against the adverse interim verdict by the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal. Though there were stray cases of unruly behaviour on the part of some youth during the protest, it did not warrant the police to target individuals. The police targetted women and children, besides an innocent youth preparing for the civil services examination. He alleged that the police also looted a bakery and grocery shops.
He said suspension of guilty police officials was not enough. The government should terminate their services, he added.
