Farm activists protest against state, Central governments

Following the Punjab Police’s recent operation to dismantle protest sites and detain farm leaders at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders, a wave of discontent has swept through the region’s agricultural communities. Residents of Bhundri village, among others, staged a protest and burnt effigies representing the Punjab Government to express their anger.

Leaders voiced strong accusations, claiming the Punjab Government had transformed the state into a ‘police state’ by arresting and imprisoning popular leaders. They further alleged that the state government was acting under directives from the Central Government and demanded the immediate release of those detained, alongside the restoration of freedom of speech.

He argued that the government should engage in discussions with the farmers to resolve the ongoing issues.

In a separate announcement, Jagtar Singh Deharka and Inderjit Singh Dhaliwal, district president and district secretary of BKU (Ekta Dakaunda), declared plans for a march to Chandigarh on March 26.