Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The situation in Kandela has turned explosive with both the Bhartiya Kisan Union BKU and the Haryana Government readying for a final showdown. Apprehending commando action by the police, the BKU activists have turned the village into a virtual fort by blocking all approach roads with trees and bullock-carts.
The mood of the activists was aggressive today with more people descending on the village school located on the main road. The belligerent Hisar district unit president Bijender alias Billu, declared: 8216;8216;If the police kill two of our activists, we will kill one captive in retaliation.8217;8217;
The BKU activists are holding seven people 8212; including two DSPs Ashok Kumar and Jagdish Nagar along with his wife, Head Constable Ram Mehar and constable Satbir Singh 8212; hostage, demanding the release of their activists.
Haryana BKU President Ghasi Ram Nain said: 8216;8216;We are ready to make any sacrifice required, including laying down lives. We are satyagrahis, not attackers as projected by the state government. We will not allow any warrant officer to enter the village unless the government releases the arrested union leaders.8217;8217;
Nain declared, amidst clapping by union activists, that he was ready to face contempt of court for his action. 8216;8216;The government has registered so many cases against me. I am not bothered about one more.8217;8217;
A helicopter kept flying over the village before noon. While union activists prepared themselves for any possible commando action in Jind, Haryana Director General of Police Mohinder Singh Malik discussed the situation with police and civil officers. Strategies were discussed at a meeting attended by Hisar Police Range IG Dr. John. V. George, Jind Deputy Commissioner H.S. Dhankar and other officers.
Later, Malik discussed the situation with Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala over the phone for about 15 minutes seeking his directions. A big posse of police officers, including mounted police, is camping in Jind. Vehicles fitted with loudspeakers are on the ready.
Gulshan Kumar, who was appointed warrant officer by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for securing the release of seven captive cops has arrived in Jind.
