Cops thwart farmers’ march to Chandigarh; Ugrahan, others detained
The Punjab Police today thwarted the protest planned by 37 farmer unions (the Samyukt Kisan Morcha) in Chandigarh over their demands.
Farmers began to march towards the state capital this morning, but union leaders, including Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), were detained by the police at various places. The protesters decided to stage dharnas at the places where they were stopped.
Editorial: Punjab in turmoil
Leaders of the SKM will meet in Ludhiana tomorrow to decide the further course.
Minor incidents of scuffle between farmers and the police were reported. The police had set up nakas on state and national highways leading to Chandigarh. Tippers were also used to create road blockades and thwart any attempt by the farmers to break the barricades. At some places, water cannons were deployed, but not used.
Across Punjab, thorough frisking of vehicles was carried out to ensure that no protester reached Chandigarh. The UT border was sealed by multiple-layered barricades. At many places, traffic snarls were witnessed because of the tight security.
Since morning, farmers started moving in groups atop tractor-trailers from all over the state. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher extended support to the SKM this morning and asked members of his union to burn effigies of the state government in 18 districts.
According to reports, farmers were detained on the Patiala-Hisar road, Chandigarh-Sangrur road at Bhawanigarh, Gharachon, Hedon in Samrala, Chuharchak, Talwandi, Majari, Sirhind, Chunni, Balachaur, Banga, Phillaur-Nakodar road and Beas.
At many places, farmers burnt effigies of the state government after their march was stopped.
Some farmers managed to reach Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali where 23 of them were detained by the police.
Among top farmer leaders detained by the police were Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan). He was detained near Mehlan Kothe village in Sangrur and released only after six hours, reportedly under pressure from farmers. The police also tried to detain Manjit Singh Dhaner, a leader of the breakaway faction of the BKU (Dakaunda), at Bhaini Darera village near Raikot, but a huge posse of farmers prevented them from doing so.
Buta Singh Burjgill, a farmer leader, released a statement in the evening, saying dharnas were on at 18 places in the state and would continue till the SKM decided on the future strategy.
“We are not allowed to go to our state capital to exercise our right to protest. CM Mann seems to be hand in glove with the Modi government and wants to crush farmers’ voice,” he said.
Police sources said while some leaders had already been released from preventive custody, most others would be released by noon tomorrow.
