Day ahead of protest at Shambhu, Jagjit Dallewal, other farmer leaders put under house arrest

Police on Monday remained on their toes handling the situation following reports of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non Political) activists reaching the Shambu police station a day ahead of their scheduled protest.

Though the authorities called the action in the wee hours of Monday routine measures to maintain law and order, police detained farmer leaders at their houses besides putting up special nakas at strategic points on the highways and link roads.

The Malerkotla DSP (special) said special nakas were organised on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla, Malerkotla-Khanna, Ahmedgarh-Raikot and Kup-Payal roads.

SKM (Non Political) leader Jagjit Dallewal was put under house arrest at about 4 am. Dallewal uploaded a video on social media about his detention.

On Saturday, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (Bharat) and SKM (Non Political) had announced a protest outside the Shambhu police station on Tuesday, accusing the government of using repressive measures during the recent farmer agitation and demanding strict action against those responsible.

However, farmer leaders were taken unawares early on Monday morning when almost all roads connecting their houses with the highways were sealed by putting up special nakas. Though the authorities did not announce any detentions, at least six farmer leaders of the district were reported to restricted to their houses.