Farmers, commission agents continue protest

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 12

Farmers and commission agents held protests here today after the police booked a commission agent in connection with the suicide of a farmer, Tek Singh, in Jiyond village. Commission agents blocked the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway at Rampura and sought dismissal of case against Suresh Bahia, who was booked under Sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 34 of the IPC.

On the other hand, farmers also protested near the Jethuke drain and raised slogans against the police. They demanded arrest of accused, Suresh Bahia, and compensation for farmer’s family.

Commission agents said the matter was sub-judice and threatened to intensify the protest if the case was not dismissed.

Members of the various farm organisations, including BKU (Ugrahan) were adamant on their demand for early arrest of the accused. They said protests would continue till their demanded were met.

Meanwhile, officials of the district administration and the police appealed to the protesters to resolve the matter among themselves, but the protests continued.

Bikramjit Singh, SP (D), tried to reason with the protesters but in vain. He said that both the groups would meet the DC and the SSP tomorrow and hopefully the matter would be resolved.