Malout farmers fear false cases, court arrest

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 1

Days after BJP MLA from Abohar Arun Narang was assaulted in Malout town, 20 farmers today courted arrest. A large number of farmers led by BKU (Sidhupur) state president Jagjit Singh Dallewal gathered at Bathinda Chowk in Malout and sought assurance from the police that they won’t harass any innocent farmer.

Dallewal and other farmers today held a meeting with Muktsar SSP D Sudarvizhi and thereafter courted arrest.

They claimed that the court had granted bail to three of their activists arrested earlier.

“The court arrest doesn’t mean we are guilty. We were present when some miscreants tore the clothes of the BJP MLA. Thus, we don’t want that those who were not even present that day get arrested in any false case. Our union had already announced during the Bharat bandh on March 26 that no political event would be allowed in the district and that’s why we had gathered in Malout to lodge a protest against the BJP MLA’s press conference,” said farmers.

Dallewal said, “We will continue to gherao BJP leaders. Though every farmer gathered here is ready to court arrest, we have stopped them.”

BJP’s block president resigns

BJP’s Malout block (rural) president Shamsher Singh Sandhu on Thursday resigned from the party, saying he was upset due to the three farm laws. He said: “I am hopeful that the party leadership would fulfil the demand of farmers.” Sandhu was honoured by the farmers.

Preneet flays attack on Narang

Muktsar: Patiala MP Preneet Kaur on Thursday condemned the recent attack on BJP MLA Arun Narang in Malout. She said, “Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has already condemned the attack and I, too, condemn it. The CM has strictly told senior police officers to maintain law and order.”