Scuffle between farmers, BJP leaders

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 22

High drama was witnessed when BJP leaders and farmers got into a scuffle with each other here on Thursday. The farmer unions are holding dharnas and are openly opposing and criticising the BJP after the Central Government passed the three farm laws.

The incident happened when some BJP leaders, including local leaders Poonam Manik and Jeevan Kumar, wanted to garland the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar, to which farmers raised objection and did not allow them to proceed. A huge police force was also there and police officials tried to pacify both sides.

As per information, one of the leaders then forcefully tried to garland the statue. This prompted some members of the farmer union to resist the former resulting in a scuffle and minor injuries to some of BJP workers.

The police then detained members of both parties and then after a while let them go.

Even at the Behram toll plaza, where scores of farmers have been holding protests for the last 14 days, got together today and decided to gherao the BJP leaders on their way to Chandigarh.

Davinder Singh, a member of the farmer union, said the police personnel were gathered in numbers. “But looking at the situation, the BJP leaders didn’t even come this side. We just want to let them know that we oppose them and we can never forget what the central government has done with us,” he said.

Poonam Manik, a BJP leader, said anyone could garland the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar and none could stop them. “The incident is condemnable,” she said.