Ludhiana MLA brothers held for stir against sand mafia

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Kasabad (Ludhiana), April 17

Independent legislators from Ludhiana Simarjeet Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains were arrested today by the city police after they launched a 'satyagraha' against the sand mafia in the state, allegedly patronised by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

Taking the police and the intelligence agencies by surprise, Simarjeet Singh Bains today launched the 'satyagraha' by symbolically lifting sand from the Sutlej riverbed at Churwal village in Kasabad sector, around 25 km from Ludhiana city.

Simarjeet and his supporters from “Team Insaaf” loaded sand onto tractor-trailers which were lined up near the riverbed. Simarjeet was later arrested by the police. Balwinder was arrested earlier in the morning today when he and members of Team Insaaf assembled near a local hotel for a press conference. High drama took place when the press conference, scheduled to be held at the hotel on the Ferozepur Road, was cancelled as the hotel owner allegedly did not allow Balwinder to use the hotel premises for the press conference. Flaying the SAD for “patronising” the sand mafia in the state, Balwinder alleged that the hotel owner had buckled under police and political pressure.
However, SHO, police station, division number 8, Devinder Chaudhary, who was present on the spot, refuted the allegation. Balwinder told the media that Simarjeet, along with Team Insaaf, would launch the 'satyagraha' against the sand mafia today instead of April 20. He said the 'satyagraha' would be launched from Ludhiana district and later, it would be held in other districts of the state.
In Churwal village, more than 500 members of Team Insaaf, some sporting head bands proclaiming them to be 'satyagrahis', raised “Inquilab Zindabad” and anti-Badal slogans.
The supporters of the Bains brothers had positioned themselves on various spots en route Kasabad and were seen guiding the people to the Sutlej riverbed.
Speaking to mediapersons, Simarjeet said, "This is just a symbolic start to the 'satyagraha' that will be held in other districts also."
Team Insaaf members told mediapersons about the ‘presence’ of large number of tippers in nearby areas. “This reveals that illegal sand mining is being done,” alleged Ajaypreet, a Team Insaaf member.
Meanwhile, the police force, led jointly by ADCP Satvir Singh Atwal and ADCP (1) Joginder Singh, arrived about an hour later.
For about 25-30 minutes, the supporters of Bains brothers continued to raise slogans.
The police deflated the tyres of the vehicle in which Simarjeet was seated, even as the members of Team Insaaf tried to offer resistance against the police action. Some supporters tried to make a human chain to stop the police vehicle from leaving the spot.
The police have registered cases under various Sections of the IPC & CrPC against the Bains brothers, including offences pertaining to illegal mining, theft and damage to property.
A case under Section 107/151 of the CrPC was registered against Balwinder in police station, division number 8. He was later sent to judicial remand.
A case has been registered against Simarjeet under Sections 379, 353, 186, 120 (B) of the IPC. He has been booked under the Sand Mining Act.

Govt stifling Opposition: Capt
Chandigarh: Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday condemned the "arbitrary" arrest of the two Ludhiana MLAs saying the Akali-BJP government was trying to stifle the voice of opposition. It is sad that instead of taking serious note of the issues being raised by the two MLAs and talking to them, the government has arrested them, Capt Amarinder wrote in a statement.
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