Congress activists stage dharna near Union Minister’s residence

Phagwara, February 16

Hundreds of party activists led by District Congress Committee president-cum-Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal staged a dharna near the residence of Union Minister of State Som Parkash in the Urban Estate over the “atrocities” committed by the Haryana Police on agitating farmers on the instructions of the BJP-led Union and state governments.

While addressing party activists at the dharna, leaders including Deepak Salwan, Sukhwinder Singh Billu, Taranjit Singh Walia and Naresh Bhardwaj strongly criticised the anti-farmers policies of the Central Government.

Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal said the Congress was supporting genuine demands of farmers. He said the Union Government was neglecting farmers’ demands. Dhaliwal said farmers and people of Punjab faced natural disasters like lumpy skin disease and floods, but the state government did not release compensation for victims.

Dhaliwal alleged that the Haryana Police dropped tear gas shells from drones on protesting farmers at the Shambhu barrier. He urged Union Minister of State Som Parkash to hold talks with Prime Minister to redress problems of farmers.