Farmers handcuffed and paraded

Mandsaur, MP, Nov 28 (UNI) Thirteen peasants have been handcuffed and paraded in a local court's premises for alleged non-payment of power bills.

''Constables Ram Khelawan, Pandri Nath and Home Guard Jawan Kattu Singh yesterday handcuffed Badri Bagri, Mohanlal, Laloo Bagri, Nanuram, Mangeram, Jagdeesh, Ratanlal, Gendapuri, Suresh Chandra, Shyamlal, Rajendra Singh, Shabbir Khan and Chen Ram and brought them from Khetakheda, Manpura and Diknia villages,'' said Sitamau Station House Officer O P Trivedi.

The victims claimed that they had already paid the bills and even produced receipts.

The Supreme Court has clearly laid down that a person should not be handcuffed unless he or she is accused of a grave crime or there is an apprehension of the person giving escorting personnel the slip.

Local Congress and Hindu Jagran Manch activists reacted strongly to the incident.

UNI XC-AC 1826