Stubble burning sparks tensions in CM’s home district Sangrur as farmers clash with police

The stubble burning incidents are leading to tension between farmers and the police in Sangrur district, the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

For instance, tension flared up in Laddi village here on Wednesday when a police team reached the fields to stop stubble burning, and detain a farm labourer. Some farmers squatted on the ‘kutcha’ path leading to the fields and reportedly blocked the police vehicle.

At this, a police officer of DSP rank allegedly threw two two-wheelers belonging to the farmers into the fields to clear the way. Meanwhile, a woman police Inspector, as seen in viral videos, appealed to the farmers not to obstruct their way.

Farmers, on the other hand, said they were compelled to burn stubble due to a lack of alternatives.

“A farmer from our village is suffering from chikungunya, and his farm labourer had set the stubble on fire. A police team led by the DSP Sangrur reached the spot, and when they detained him and tried to take him to the police station, we blocked their way. Irate over this, the DSP alighted from his official vehicle and threw our two-wheelers into the fields. Then more farmers arrived, and another police team led by the SHO of Sadar Sangrur police station also reached there. Later, they agreed not to register a case and left,” said Jagtar Singh Laddi, an activist of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Sangrur district.

He further said that earlier, on Tuesday, they had gheraoed a police team when it was clicking pictures of fields to take legal action against farmers. “We are not getting balers to manage paddy stubble. What else can we do in such a situation except burn it?” he added.

A police officer, pleading anonymity, said, “The situation is under control, and Wednesday’s issue was resolved amicably.” Sangrur DSP Sukhdev Singh was not available for comments. His personal staff said that the DSP was busy in a meeting.

The reports of farmers gheraoing the police have also emerged from some other districts in recent days.