Sangrur saffron men held hostage for 3 hrs

Sangrur, July 13

BJP leaders on Tuesday were taken hostage by farmers in the Police Lines here for around three hours. They had gone to submit a memorandum to the SSP for action in the Rajpura incident and protection for party men.

“The members of our political opponents have been creating problems for our leaders under the garb of farmers. Today we had gone to the SSP’s office to submit a memorandum for the registration of FIR by name against all those who attacked our leaders in Rajpura and seek protection for our party men. But protesters kept our leaders hostage inside the Police Lines for around three hours as the cops failed to take quick action,” alleged Randeep Deol, Sangrur BJP chief.

As per information, local BJP leaders reached the SSP’s office at the Police Lines around 11 am. Many of them had already left after submitting the memorandum before farmers under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) converged on the Police Lines and blocked the main gates.

“They have the right to protest. We, too, have the right to seek protection for our lives. Farmers are being misguided by various leaders for their political gains. They should not play into the hands of such politicians,” said Sarjiwan Jindal, another BJP leader after coming out of the Police Lines.

However, farmers stressed their protest against BJP leaders would continue until the central farm laws were repealed. “Punjab BJP leaders must get the laws scrapped immediately if they are really serious for the welfare of farmers,” said Gobindar Singh, Sangrur block president of BKU (Ugrahan). — TNS