The two cattle farmers arrested by the police yesterday for allegedly obstruction their work were released under police bail this evening.
“Just got released via police bail,” National Farmers’ Coalition coordinator R Vijayagandi told Malaysiakini in a brief text.
Yesterday, police arrested Muraly Manohar, 41 and Vickneswaran Manohar, 39 under Section 186 of the Penal Code for allegedly obstructing civil servants from performing their duties.
“Around 11am, police officers arrived at the SD Guthrie plantation to seize our livestock, but detained the duo for allegedly obstructing their duty.
“They were initially held at the Sabak Bernam police station but are now being taken to the Sungai Besar police station,” Vijayagandi said yesterday.
He claimed the police’s action was an abuse of power as the latter entered a private property and any action on the place would require a court order.
In an update, PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said the decision was reached following talks involving Vijayagandi and himself with Sabak Bernam deputy district police chief Khalid Mohammad earlier.
The PSM leader also confirmed the cattle farmers have lodged about 100 police reports concerning the dispute.
“And according to Selangor Rural Development, Unity, and Consumer Affairs executive councillor Rizam Ismail and Sentosa assemblyperson Gunarajah George, they would cease seizing livestock today,” Arutchelvan said in a message to Malaysiakini.
Dispute with plantation firm
Last month, more than 50 farmers from SD Guthrie Berhad’s plantation held a protest and submitted a memorandum to Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari after they were slapped with eviction notices.
The group demanded the state government take responsibility for the eviction notices issued by SD Guthrie, which forced them to remove their livestock from the plantation areas.
The coalition’s fellow coordinator S Tinagaran said 173 farmers had received the notices, effective Jan 31.
He alleged that the eviction notices emerged after the statement by Rizam last month concerning illegal cattle farming activities on SD Guthrie plantation in Sabak Bernam.
“Following the exco’s statement on the issue involving the plantation in Sabak Bernam, SD Guthrie took the opportunity to issue notices to all farmers in Selangor.
“Farmers were given a one-month deadline, ending on Jan 31,” Tinagaran was reported as saying.
However, SD Guthrie defended their actions and refuted claims that the notices were issued following Rizam’s statement. - Mkini
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