Hubballi: Farmers who had protested against the interim verdict of the Mahadayi river tribunal and were jailed, celebrated Independence Day with fervour with their release adding to the festive atmosphere in their native hamlets in Navalgund taluk.
Hundreds of activists from Karnataka Pranta Raitha Sangh on Monday, visited every household of these released farmers to instill confidence by distributing bouquets among them.
A mammoth convention was held in Navagund where the farmers were invited and greeted with applause on their arrival on stage. This also cheered up the women who were severely beaten up by the policemen during the protest.
“We could not celebrate Nag Panchami festival last week in the absence of male members who were arrested in connection with violence in Navalgund. Their release prior to Independence Day has given us a respite. It helped us forget the pain of the brutal assault on us by policemen after the release of our children from jail,” said seventy-five-year-old Kenchamma Javaligeri of Yamanur village.
The women performed aarti for the released farmers on their return to their native hamlets of Arekurahatti, Alagawadi, Yamanur. The farmers took a pledge that they will not relent until the state government withdraws all cases against them.
