Summary:
Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has sought a response from government authorities in Sitapur on a PIL alleging “financial hardship” to farmers after the district administration demanded “exorbitant personal bonds” ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh from them, plus sureties, “on the apprehension that they may violate law and order” given the farmers’ protests on in the district.
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Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has sought a response from government authorities in Sitapur on a PIL alleging “financial hardship” to farmers after the district administration demanded “exorbitant personal bonds” ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh from them, plus sureties, “on the apprehension that they may violate law and order” given the farmers’ protests on in the district.
In the PIL, activist Arundhati Dhuru said the Sitapur district administration issued the notices to farmers who own tractors on January 19, and police surrounded their houses to prevent them from joining the protests.
In its order on January 25, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court asked the state authorities to state “as to under what circumstances such an exorbitant amount of personal bond and two sureties have been asked”.
The matter has been listed for next hearing on February 2.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Maholi) Pankaj Rathore told The Indian Express the action was justified.
“If we had not taken such action, Sitapur would have had the same situation which happened in Delhi.” Around 35 farmers from Sitapur are known to have joined the ongoing protests at Delhi’s borders.
Within the district, a protest was held on January 13 in the Mishrikh area.
A notice issued to farmers under the Pisawan Police Station by SDM Rathore reads, “It has been brought to notice that in village Satnapur following people (going on to name 10 persons) have an internal conflict over protests against the farm Bills etc.
Because of this, there is tension.