SHO transferred, Faridkot villagers suspend protest
A marathon meeting among officials of the district police, administration and leaders of various Dalit and farm labour unions on Monday helped defuse tension prevailing in Chandbhan village here following a recent clash between protesters and the police.
The incident, which involved hurling of stones on policemen by some protesters and the retaliatory crackdown by the police on February 5, had left several persons injured.
Amid growing resentment, Dalit and farm labour unions had called for a protest on Monday. Given the caste dynamics and political undertones of the issue, which was being projected as an upper-lower caste conflict, the district administration reportedly agreed to multiple demands of the protesters to prevent further unrest.
Protesters’ key demands included the release of 40 Dalit protesters arrested during the clash, action against police officials involved in beating Dalit family members and arrested individuals, removal of the Jaito SHO, registration of an attempt-to-murder case against two individuals who allegedly opened fire to disperse Dalit protesters in police presence, investigation the role of Jaito MLA Amolak Singh, who was accused of instructing the police to assault protesters.
Their other demands included immediate halt to illegal sewage disposal near labour colonies, government-funded medical treatment for injured workers and compensation for the damage caused to workers’ houses and belongings.
The SHO was shifted out of Jaito today. Following assurances by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the protest was temporarily suspended. Union leaders, however, warned if the administration failed to fulfil its commitments, a siege of the SSP office would take place on February 17. They emphasised that the struggle would continue until their all demands were met.
Meanwhile, former Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and BJP leader Vijay Sampla visited Chandbhan on Monday. He met affected families and assured them of justice.
Sampla also inspected the house of Dalit Sarpanch that was allegedly vandalised by police personnel and members of the opposing faction. He announced that he would meet district officials to discuss the issue. He has urged the NCSC to intervene, demanding a detailed report from the Punjab Government and the district administration.
