Gurnam Singh Charuni booked for call to block traffic

Tribune News Service

Ambala, August 29

The Ambala police have booked BKU chief Gurnam Singh Charuni for giving a call of road blockades across the state after the farmers were lathicharged in Karnal on Saturday.

The case has been registered at Shahzadpur police station on the complaint of exemptee head constable Baljeet Singh, who stated that a meeting was held at Shahzadpur grain market by Charuni to discuss the issue of non-payment of cane dues by the sugar mill.

Charuni, during his address, said the police had cane-charged farmers in Karnal. He gave the call of blocking all national highways. Following his call, the farmers blocked roads across Haryana.

Need to Chalk out future strategy

We have been struggling for nine months... There’s been no outcome even after 11 meetings with the Centre... There is an urgent need to chalk out a strategy. —Gurnam Singh, BKU (charuni) chief

Commuters also faced inconvenience due to his call. A case has been registered under Sections 109, 265 and 283 of the IPC and 8A of the National Highway Act at the Shahzadpur police station.

Two more cases, one each at Naggal police station and Ambala Sadar police station, have been registered against farm activists for blocking the Ambala-Hisar NH at Saini Majra toll plaza and Delhi-Amritsar NH at Shambhu toll plaza on Saturday.

While nearly 150 farmers have been booked at Naggal police station, cases against 450 have been registered at Sadar police station. Similarly, cases have been registered in Kurukshetra district against farmers for blocking the national and state highways.

In another FIR, Charuni has been named along with 14 members of his union at Shahzadpur police station in connection with a clash between his activists and that of BKU (Bhaichara Haryana).

In his complaint to the police, Narpat Rana, president, BKU (Bhaichara Haryana), said Charuni was holding a meeting to instigate farmers against the government. “We were holding a protest with black flags against Charuni. Meanwhile, around 100 people from Charuni’s union started thrashing us. At least five of us suffered injuries.” he said.

The case has been registered against Gurnam Singh Charuni, Malkit, Joginder, Deepak, Ajit, Jitender, Subhash, Karan, Manan, Rohit, Balwinder, Vicky, Silla, Sukhwinder and Maninder under Sections 148, 149, 323, 506 and 120B of the IPC.

BKU (Charuni) spokesman Rajiv Sharma said, “We have requested the Ambala police to ensure fair probe into the matter and for this, we will meet the SSP soon.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the farmers’ meeting in Karnal, Charuni asked activists and representatives of farm unions to give their opinion on the stir so that a strategy could be chalked out for future.

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