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Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cops block farmers, prevent Shambhu sit-in; Dallewal accuses CM Bhagwant Mann of turning Punjab Into A ‘Garrison'
Bathinda: The Punjab Police intensified its crackdown on protesting farmers associated with farm forums Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, preventing them from reaching Shambhu for a sit-in outside the local police station by making detentions and putting senior leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, under house action comes following a warning by chief minister Bhagwant Mann against any road or rail blockades or protests causing public leading to Shambhu were heavily barricaded, with even loaded tippers being strategically placed to block the movement of protesting crackdown extended beyond Punjab's borders. In Haryana, including Ambala, protesters primarily associated with BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) were prevented from reaching Shambhu. They were stopped at Gurdwara Manji Sahib, with Haryana-based farmer leader Tejveer Singh alleging that "Punjab Police reached the gurdwara in plainclothes and studied their movements".In Punjab's Moga district, at Ajitwal town, activists of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee were also intercepted, with farm leaders stating that some were even taken into farm forums had planned the demonstration to protest the police's recent actions, including the arrest of farmer leaders on March 19 after a meeting with central and state ministers, subsequent demolition of protest sites, and the alleged assault on farmer leader Balwant Singh Behramke on March 20. The farmers had also expressed outrage over the disappearance of their belongings, including tractor trailers, from the protest leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, angered by the arrests and house arrests, released a video message on Tuesday morning strongly condemning the govt's actions. He stated that the farm forums merely intended to voice their concerns regarding the police actions of March accused the Mann-led government of transforming Punjab into a "garrison" and launching a widespread crackdown on farmers. He said that many leaders detained on Monday, including Kaka Singh Kotda, had been sent to jail. Dallewal cautioned Mann that such state repression could incite further asserted that protests cannot be suppressed through coercion, emphasising that increased repression would only lead to greater resistance and that the rising voices of dissent would not tolerate authoritarianism. He questioned the "double standards" of the CM and his party leaders, who themselves have participated in protests in Delhi and Punjab, yet seem unwilling to concede to the farmers' right to to block rail trafficKisan Mazdoor Morcha, expressing anger over the acquisition of farmlands for road projects against the farmers' wishes, announced plans to block rail traffic at Devidaspura near Amritsar starting Wednesday. "We will continue protests and will sit wherever we are stopped and will mobilise people against such high-handedness from the state govt led by a political party which claims to have originated from the protests and struggles," declared farm leaders, adding that numerous activists from the BKU (Ekta Azad) organisation have been detained in Mangwal village near 120924755 413 |
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ahead of Shambhu stir, Punjab Police place farm leaders under house arrest, detain many
Two days ahead of farm groups' plan to protest at Shambhu police station, Punjab Police on Sunday night swooped down on farm leaders, placing at least four of them under house arrest and detaining several others. Farm groups Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had announced the protest over cops allegedly assaulting a farm leader on March 19-20. However, on Sunday night and later on Monday morning, personnel of Punjab Police started reaching the houses of senior farm leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, and placing them under house arrest. The action had the stamp of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who also issued a statement on X over protests that involve blocking roads and railways. "Any announcements, protests, or strikes in Punjab that involve blocking roads or railways or cause inconvenience to the general public and disrupt daily life will be considered acts against the public. All organisations and groups are advised to take note. There are other ways to express opposition, as troubling the people is not right. If violated, they should be prepared for strict legal action. Issued in the interest of the hardworking people of Punjab," said Mann. Commenting on the midnight crackdown on farmers, Dallewal said the action was "unwarranted". "It is no less than a midnight assault on democracy. After a sustained struggle and fast, I am unable to even walk properly, yet I have been confined to my home. We only announced a day-long peaceful protest, but instead of taking action against those from whom stolen items have been recovered, we have been put under house arrest. It is time for people to speak out, or they will silence all our voices," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Police also reached the residences of Manjit Singh Rai from BKU (Doaba), Sukhwinder Kaur from BKU (Krantikari), and Balwant Singh Behramke, and put them under house arrest. Some others, including Kulwinder Singh Panjola, Hardev Singh Chitti, Gurpreet Singh and Harvinder Singh Masaania, were rounded up and detained at different police stations, stated farm leaders. The action drew sharp criticism from other farmer organisations. Sources in police said the action was taken as they were apprehending a large gathering at Shambhu again. In the past, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had, on Feb 13, 2024, started protests at Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana to demand a legal guarantee on MSP. Though the farmers had wanted to march to Delhi, their way was blocked by Haryana Police. As the stalemate continued for 13 months and either side refused to budge, Punjab Police removed protesters at the two sites by force on March 19. While these two protests ended, police were accused of misbehaving with farmer leaders, and stealing tractors and belongings of protesters. It was during this confusion that police were accused of a assaulting a farm leader at Shambhu police station. As part of the latest protest, farm groups wanted to protest at the same police station. CM's message elicits another protest call The CM's post on X slamming protesters has elicited another protest call, this time by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher. He has now called for disrupting rail traffic at Devidaspura near Amritsar on May 7 and urged other farm organisations to stand up against this highhandedness.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sanyukt Kisan Morcha condemns attack on Rakesh Tikait in UP
Bathinda: The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has strongly condemned an attack on farmer leader Rakesh Tikait at Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, while he was participating in a Aakrosh Rally against the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Friday evening. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now SKM has demanded the immediate arrest of all those responsible for the attack. It stated that a section of the mob manhandled Rakesh Tikait with the intention of fatally attacking him. The police personnel present failed to prevent the mob attack. It is notable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath did not condemn the attack on the SKM leader. "Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was allegedly heckled by members of right-wing groups in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday evening when he was about to address a public meeting called in solidarity with victims of the . In the melee, Tikait's turban came off, and he was escorted by police personnel and his supporters," said a source. SKM called upon various sections of the people to expose the actions against farmers, minorities, and the working people. MSID:: 120850073 413 |
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Police stop protesting farmers from heading towards Faridkot
Bathinda: Activists from the farmer forums Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) clashed with police on their way to a venue where Punjab assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and ministers Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Baljit Kaur were in attendence. The farmers, under a joint call from both forums, assembled in various districts to deliver memorandums seeking compensation for damage to wheat crops due to fires and untimely rains, as well as for items that went missing from protest sites at Shambhu and Khanauri on March 19. The activists gathered in Faridkot while the speaker and ministers were in town for a programme under the 'Yudh Nashia Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign. The activists aimed to reach the venue to deliver their memorandum but were stopped at a distance. When the farmers attempted to proceed, the police used force to stop them and detained several activists. In the ensuing chaos, some farmers opposed the use of force. Activists claimed that the previous Punjab govt betrayed them by arresting farm leaders after a meeting with central and Punjab ministers and dismantling the morchas on March 19. They argued that farmers suffered due to fires in the fields and untimely rains. The activists added that despite the 'Yudh Nashia Virudh' campaign by the govt, drugs remain available in hotspot areas across districts. Meanwhile, the assembly Speaker and the ministers resolved to eradicate drug abuse and claimed that the campaign is yielding desired results. MSID:: 120822691 413 |
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rift in farmers' movement as corruption allegations fly
Chandigarh: Sharp divisions have erupted within influential farmers' group, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), after one of its senior leaders accused its top figures of corruption and collusion with the central govt — allegations the accused have denied strongly. More than a month after protesters from the SKM (NP) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) were removed forcibly from the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana, cracks between farmer unionists have become public. Inderjit Singh Kotbudda, a prominent figure in the Kisan Sangharsh Committee Punjab (Kotbudda faction), accused farmer unionists Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Kaka Singh Kotda, and Abhimanyu Kohar of financial misconduct running into crores of rupees, selling off donated supplies meant for protesters, and negotiating secretly with the govt — all while the broader farmers' struggle made little headway. Taking to Facebook Live on Monday, Kotbudda accused the three of acting like "dictators", excluding others from key decision-making processes and betraying the trust of thousands of supporters. He claimed that funds and donations, including wheat and flour, were misused, suggesting the money could have been better spent, such as waiving off farm debts. Kotbudda also pointed out that Dallewal had raised concerns about financial irregularities previously following the 2021 farmers' protest victory near Delhi, and urged him now to come clean. In a swift rebuttal, Dallewal and Kohar dismissed the allegations as baseless and laid with political motives. They defended the movement's transparency, saying every decision regarding finances and resource management was made collectively and in the open. "There is no evidence to support these wild claims," Dallewal said. "At times when essential supplies were needed, surplus wheat donations were sold responsibly to meet those needs." Kohar echoed the sentiment, challenging Kotbudda to present evidence publicly if he stood by his accusations. He added that Kotbudda had attended an April 24 meeting of the SKM (NP) but left early without raising any concerns. The accused leaders suggested the allegations to be part of a broader conspiracy to tarnish Dallewal's image, given especially his high-profile 132-day fast that they claimed had helped bring national attention to demands for a minimum support price (MSP) law for farmers. The leadership now considers filing a defamation case against Kotbudda. MSID:: 120701796 413 |
