Condemn gruesome murder of Tarn Taran-based man

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 16

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has condemned the gruesome murder of a Tarn Taran-based man by a Nihang at the Singhu border. The incident has sent shockwaves among farmers.

A huge group of members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee set out for Singhu on Friday, their arrival was greeted with the shocking news. Farmer groups expressed solidarity with the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha calling for a thorough probe into the incident. Some also raised questions on repeated disruptions by anti-social elements at the morcha.

Salwinder Singh Jania, district president of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, who was part of the jatha which reached Singhu this morning, said, “It was shocking for us to know about the incident. The farmers unions are there to protest against the three black laws. We don’t have anything to do with this incident nor is our protest religious. We are agricultural groups not religious groups. We are concerned only with protests for our demands. Those responsible for the crime should be brought to book. We hope the law takes it logical course and the guilty are punished.”

Manjit Singh Rai, president, Bharti Kisan Union (Doaba), said, “For the past so many times, anyone caught disrupting the farmers’ protests and the peaceful agitation at Singhu who has been caught by the police, is written down as mentally upset or not in the right mind. The question is from where do disruptive elements keep penetrating the andolan time and again. No one should be allowed to take law into their own hands and strong action should be taken against those responsible for the heinous act. However, the fault also lies with governments for not heeding to people’s anger in long pending cases of injustice.

There is growing ire against lack of justice in beadbi issues in Punjab which has again become a talking point after the recent murder at Singhu. The incident took place early in the morning when volunteers at the dharna on night watch usually leave and new ones come in place for them for morning duty. Had volunteers been around, they wouldn’t have allowed it.”

Amarjot Singh Jandiala, youth wing leader of the BKU (Rajewal), said, “The kisan andolan has been going on peacefully for the past many months. Farmers have been holding peaceful protests. The recent incident has caused a huge shock. There have been repeated attempts to bring bad name to farmers as witnessed in various incidents.

“We resolutely stand by the stance of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha on the incident. Farm groups or unions weren’t involved with the incident. This incident should be probed thoroughly by the government and the guilty should be brought to book.”

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