The Haryana police arrested farmer activist Navdeep Singh Jalbera, in connection with an FIR lodged during the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' stir in February. The Ambala Police arrested Jalbera on Thursday from Mohali.
Jalbera was later produced in court for a two-day remand by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of the Haryana Police.
This comes ahead of a gathering by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mukti Morcha on March 31 to pay homage to Shubhkaran Singh, a 21-year-old farmer from Bathinda, who was killed in a clash at Punjab-Haryana border on February 21
Jalbera, hails from the eponymous village near Ambala, became famous as the "water cannon man" after he climbed on top of a police water cannon in November 2020 amidst the farmers' movement protesting the now-repealed farm laws.
Police said Jalbera was arrested in connection with a case registered here on February 13 under various IPC Sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and assault on policemen.
In 2020, thousands of farmers marched towards Delhi and staged protests for several months at the national capital's Singhu and Tikri borders, despite heavy police barricades.
Jalbera’s counsel, Rohit Jain said that police arrested three people, in connection with the February case. The FIR names 20 farmers including several top leaders. Jain said the farmers have denied the police charges.
Police pleaded in court, asserting that Jalbera's remand was necessary to retrieve his car and other weapons purportedly used during the agitation.
Farmers have stated that they would continue their protests until their demands are met.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Kisan Mukti Morcha have spearheaded the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).
Farmers from Punjab have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13.
Shubhkaran Singh was killed during a clash with police at the Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border. Twelve police personnel sustained injuries in the clashes. The clash erupted when some farmers attempted to breach the barricades and were met with resistance from security personnel.