The Bhartiya Kisan Union’s (BKU) thundering defiance came to a whimpering end on Sunday when it released the captive policemen, including two DSPs, past midnight. The situation, however, is still confusing: the administration and BKU leaders are making contradictory statements about the terms of release. BKU said the release of their arrested workers by May 28 has been assured as also withdrawal of all cases. The Jind administration denied any deal and emphasised action against all those who violated law.District Magistrate Hawa Singh Dhankar said: ‘‘What accepting conditions for release of arrested union leaders. I even rejected union leaders’ request for talks. They requested at least six times in the last 48 hours.’’According to Dhankar, the BKU released the captives fearing police raid and pressure from people, media and social organisations. Haryana BKU chief Ghasi Ram Nain and others who have been declared proclaimed offenders would be arrested at the right time, he said.‘‘Our immediate aim was to secure the captives’ release without bloodshed. We have succeded,’’ Dhankar said. The culprits would face action in fresh cases registered for holding policemen captive. According to Dhankar, Nain’s aim was to collect donations by misguiding innocent farmers. At Kandela village, Nain gave his version of the story. ‘‘We released the hostages after DSP Darshan Singh — who said the state sent him — assured us the government would release all leaders by May 28 if we released the policemen. All cases registered since 1992, including fresh cases, would be withdrawn too.’’ According to Nain, ‘‘blockade of Jind-Chandigarh highway would continue and if demands are rejected, we would be forced to adopt more aggressive tactics’’.It took the police top brass six hours of behind-the-scenes sweating to secure the release. Haryana, emboldened by court orders, was ready for commando action. The strategy too was finalised by Haryana DGP M.S. Malik with police and district officers. Malik was just waiting for CM Om Prakash Chautala’s nod.In the meantime, Malik’s confidant DSP Darshan Singh — from Kiloi village of Rohtak — took BKU’s Rohtak chief Dharmvir Hooda into confidence. Hooda then talked to Nain. Darshan assured Hooda of accepting their demands.During a meeting with Hooda and other union workers, Darshan played the emotional card — he said he was a farmer too.
