Protest over farmer’s death continues for eighth day

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 17

The post-mortem examination of farmer Tek Singh, a resident of Jiyond village, could not be conducted even on the eighth day after his death. Under debt, he had committed suicide on August 9.

The protesters led by Bhartiya Kisan Unions continued their agitation near Jethuke drain on the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway for the eighth day.

They are demanding the arrest of commission agent Suresh Bahia of Rampura Phul who was booked by the police on the basis of the suicide note that was found from the pocket of the deceased farmer.

Due to the protest, commuters have been facing a lot of problems due to the traffic jam and the police had to divert traffic to various villages.

The Rampura Sadar police had registered a case against Bahia as it was allegedly mentioned in the suicide note that Bahia was demanding back his money.

Bahia was booked under Sections of 306 and 506 of the IPC on the statement of Jagjeet Singh, son of Tek Singh.

Today, the protesters raised slogans against the police and state government and alleged that the state government was responsible for Tek’s death.

Sukhdev Singh Javanda, leader of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), said that they would continue the protest till their demands are met. He claimed that two suicide notes were recovered from Tek’s pockets. These were taken in custody by the Rampura Sadar police.

In one suicide note, Tek had written to Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh that if the state government would have cleared his loan, he would not have taken this step. He demanded an attested copy of that suicide note.

Sukhdev demanded compensation for the farmer’s family, government job to a family member and waiving of all loans on the family.

Meanwhile, the union of commission agents had also staged a protest against the police and demanded the dismissal of the case against Bahia.

Naveen Singla, SSP, Bathinda, said that the police was regularly talking with the protesters and hoped that the matter would be resolved soon.