Farm unions gherao Minister Goyal’s residence in Lehra

Members of various farmer unions, led by the Kirti Kisan Union, gheraoed the residence of Cabinet Minister Barinder Goyal for two hours at Lehra in protest against the alleged assault on a science teacher on April 25.

They were demanding the arrest of the accused, including two sarpanches, who “mercilessly beat up and fractured an arm and legs” of teacher Nirbhey Singh near Rampura Jawaharwala village.

On that day, Nirbhey had told the police that the attackers had enmity with him as he was supporting poor families of Khai village (near Lehra) in a land dispute case.

However, the protesters lifted the gherao when the Moonak DSP assured them that the accused would be arrested soon. Earlier, they also held a rally at Grain Market, Lehra, and took out a protest march in the town before reaching the residence of the Cabinet Minister. They also raised slogans demanding the arrest of the accused immediately.

In connection with a land dispute case, Nirbhey Singh, a resident of Khai village, was reportedly attacked with iron rods by about 10 persons on April 25. On the statement of Nirbhey Singh, who is also a district-level leader of the Kirti Kisan Union, the Lehra police had registered a case.