Bathinda, Feb. 19 -- A violent clash broke out on Wednesday between activists of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and police at Jeond village as farmers attempted to march to the district administrative complex (DAC) in Bathinda. Police used tear-gas shells to disperse stone-pelting protesters, resulting in at least two serious injuries among the union activists. The confrontation, the second in 12 days, erupted after authorities tried to prevent BKU members from staging a dharna demanding the release of leaders Baldev Singh and Shagandeep Singh, who are in judicial custody for the alleged murder bid on of DSP Rahul Bhardwaj in January 2025. Both were arrested on April 5, 2025, and are lodged in Bathinda Jail. On Wednesday, the Punjab and Haryana high court granted regular bail to both leaders, and they are expected to be released on Thursday. BKU activists blocked roads at Jeond village, about 40 km from Bathinda, using tractors and trailers. While key union leaders were not arrested, several activists were taken into custody. SSP Jyoti Yadav Bains said police used "mild force" after protesters turned violent and hurled stones. A DSP-led team later met BKU leaders to pacify the situation. Union state vice-president Jhanda Singh Jethuke claimed more than six members were injured, including one hit by a tear-gas shell, and condemned the police action. He demanded the release of detained volunteers and withdrawal of cases against nearly 2,000 activists from a February 6 protest. Heavy police deployment remained at inter-district borders and city entry points to prevent the dharna. The standoff stems from a nearly 70-year-old land dispute between landowners and cultivator tenants, which the Supreme Court resolved in favour of landowners. The BKU has continued to express dissatisfaction over the ruling, leading to repeated confrontations with authorities. Around 300 farmers were also detained in parts of Sangrur, including the villages of Jakhepal and Sheron, while heading to Bathinda. The action even led to some confrontation between the police and the farmers....