Farmers back March 6 protest, demand action against Bathinda police

Tension between farmers and the police escalated on Thursday as several organisations held a meeting in Barnala and extended support to BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) for its March 6 protest outside the Bathinda District Administrative Complex.

The protest is against alleged police action during clashes in Bathinda district on February 6 and 18. Among the organisations present were the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, BKU (Krantikari), BKU (Dakaunda), Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Punjab Kisan Union, Pendu Mazdoor Union, Kul Hind Kisan Sabha, Krantikari Kisan Union, Water Supply and Sanitation Contract Workers’ Union and the Democratic Teachers’ Front.

The joint front demanded cancellation of six FIRs registered against farmers. It also sought registration of an FIR for murder bid against Bathinda SSP Jyoti Yadav, an SP, three DSPs and other personnel over the alleged attack on “peacefully sitting” farmers at Jeond village on February 6. Two farmers were seriously injured in the incident.

In separate developments, Satinder Kumar, president of Shiv Sena Swatantra Sangathan, filed complaints with the state and national women’s commissions against BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan for allegedly using objectionable words against the SSP.

Ugrahan said, “I stick to my words… She is influential and may be acting with (Arvind) Kejriwal’s support. Madam has complete backing from the higher-ups.”

Five FIRs were registered against over 2,000 unidentified farmers after the February 6 clash. Nearly 400 unidentified farmers were booked for murder bid after the February 18 incident.

The protests were linked to the arrest of two farm activists, who were released on February 20. Farmers alleged the police did not act on statements of two injured protesters.