Protesting farmers condemn NIA raid on woman leader’s house in Punjab’s Bathinda

Mohit Khanna

Patiala, August 30

The farmer leaders sitting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders have condemned the raid carried out by National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the house of women leader Sukhwinder Kaur Khandi of Bhartiya Kisan Union in Punjab’s Bathinda.

NIA’s raid took place a day before the completion of 200 days of farmer protest at Shambhu and Khanauri borders. A huge number of farmers assembled at both the locations to protest against the government for not implementing legal guarantees on Minimum Support Price.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, who is representing Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) non-political, termed the raid as politically motivated and a misuse of central agencies.

He said that the raid was carried out at 6 am. At the time, Sukhwinder Kaur’s husband Harpinder Singh, son Shahbaz, daughter-in-law Sumanpreet and mother Paramjeet Kaur were present in the house.

Besides, raids have taken place at other locations including the house of a lawyer in Chandigarh.

Pandher said that the raid was conducted to defame farmers, and earlier also the government has tried to brand them as Khalistanis but failed. Now, the central agencies are being used to pressurise farmer leaders.

Harpinder Singh was earlier arrested by agencies under UAPA charges.

Pandher said Harpinder was arrested under UAPA charges and later granted bail by the court. He was staying at home since a long time.

Pandher added two forums will soon hold a meeting and give a befitting reply to the government.

Earlier, farmer leaders including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Baldev Singh Sirsa and Sukhdev Singh were stopped from catching a flight to Tamil Nadu from Delhi airport.