S Arutchelvan said police had told Chong to appear in court to face charges under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in discharging his duty.

“PSM condemns the charge as the eviction operation carried out on Oct 24 was highly disputed and an abuse of power.

“The issue of the eviction continues to be heard in the Ipoh High Court,” he said in a statement.

On Oct 24, PSM committee member M Karthiges told reporters that the farmers had been handed an eviction notice on Oct 13, stating that their farms were situated on land owned by the Perak Development Corporation and instructing them to vacate the land within a week.

During the protest, Chong was allegedly shoved by a Perak land and mines (PTG) officer while attempting to stop the officers – who had arrived at the site with bulldozers and excavators – from carrying out the eviction order.

The officers cleared the crop at the vegetable farm in Tambun, Ipoh.

Chong was taken to the nearest hospital after sustaining injuries to her nose, mouth, legs and hands.

Police also arrested four people, including Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, Karthiges, Perak PSM Youth member P Kesavan and a farmer identified as Ho Pon Tien.

Arutchelvan said Chong is currently receiving medical treatment as she is experiencing impaired vision, notably double vision in certain directions.

“A total of 45 police reports were lodged nationwide by individuals and organisations against the PTG officer for violently injuring an activist, demanding that police take action.

“Despite the outcry, the police and deputy public prosecutor have now resorted to charging Chong herself, who was the victim of state violence,” he said.

The party called upon the attorney-general to intervene and take another look at this case as it showed blatantly lopsided justice.