Farmer unions gherao Punjab minister's house in Sangrur over assault on teacher

Members of several farmer unions, led by the Kirti Kisan Union, gheraoed the residence of Cabinet Minister Barinder Goyal for two hours in Lehra on Saturday, protesting the non-arrest of accused—including two Sarpanches—who allegedly “beat and fractured the arm and legs” of science teacher Nirbhey Singh near Rampura Jawaharwala village on April 25.

Nirbhey Singh told police the attack stemmed from his support for poor families in Khai village involved in a land dispute.

The protest ended after Moonak DSP assured the crowd that arrests would be made soon. Earlier, protesters also held a rally at Lehra’s grain market and marched through the town to the minister’s house, raising slogans demanding immediate arrests.

Leaders addressing the gathering included Bhupinder Singh Longowal (Kirti Kisan Union Youth Wing), Leela Singh Chottian (BKU Azad), Bahadur Singh Bhutal (BKU Ugrahan), Bikar Singh Hathoa (Zamin Prapti Sangharsh Committee), Satwant Singh Khandewad (Punjab Kisan Sabha), Raghbir Singh Bhawanigarh (Democratic Teachers Front), and Gobind Singh Chhajli (Mazdoor Mukti Morcha).

Nirbhey Singh, also a district-level leader of Kirti Kisan Union and resident of Khai village, was reportedly attacked by around 10 people with iron rods. Based on his statement, Lehra police registered a case against multiple accused, including two Sarpanches.