Protest erupts over detention of social activist in Faridkot

The alleged illegal detention of a social activist by the Faridkot police on Monday sparked widespread public protest. Bowing to public pressure, the police released the activist, Shankar Sharma, in the evening.

For the past year, Sharma had been leading a public protest under the banner of the Jal Jeevan Bachao Morcha in the area. The morcha is opposing the concrete lining of the Indira Gandhi and Sirhind Feeder canals, which run parallel in the district.

Residents of Faridkot town and adjoining villages are opposing the concrete lining of canals citing several environmental and community issues. The morcha’s main argument against the practice is that concrete prevents water from naturally seeping into the ground.

This seepage is crucial for recharging the groundwater table, which is the primary source of drinking water for people in the area. Without this natural filtration process, the groundwater level may drop, potentially leading to water scarcity and affecting the availability of clean drinking water. This also disrupts the natural ecosystem around the canals.

In March last year, the Water Resources Department had put on hold relining of a 10-km portion of the 167-km Indira Gandhi Canal after a massive protest by residents.

With the department all set to commence the work in coming days, it is alleged the police rounded up Sharma from his house this morning. Once residents of Faridkot and adjoining villages came to know about it, they started assembling in front of the City police station, raising slogans against the police.

With the swelling strength of protesters, the police released the social activist around 5 pm.

DSP Tarlochan Singh said Shankar had neither been nor detained. “He was summoned for questioning relating to farmers’ protest march and released later,” the police claimed. However, protesters alleged the police were trying to “terrorise” Shankar. “This act of threatening and terrorising morcha members will further cement our resolution against the concrete lining of the canals,” said Shankar, after his release from police custody.