Farmers Movement Archive

Bajwa: Shift Nodeep to jail in Punjab

Bathinda: Rajya Sabha member and Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa has written to Punjab and Haryana high court chief justice to get labourer rights activist Nodeep Kaur transferred to a jail in Punjab, pending investigations and to monitor investigations on her case to ensure that justice is meted out. Nodeep Kaur (23) belongs to Gandhar village in Muktsar district and had been in police custody for almost a month and her bail application was rejected by Sonipat district court on February 2. The family is approaching Punjab and Haryana high court for the bail. Nodeep, a member of Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, was participating in the farm protest since November last year at Singhu border and was arrested by police on January 12. She was working in a factory at Kundli, but was sacked in December for participating in the farmer protest and mobilising labourers for the protest. Nodeep is facing case for attempt to murder, extortion for attack on police and demanding money from factory owners. Earlier, taking suo moto notice of TOI report about continued detention of labourer rights activist Nodeep, the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes on February 8 asked the additional chief secretary (home) to intervene in the matter to ensure relief of the victim at the earliest. The commission has also sought a report, in this regard by February 23, after initiating immediate requisite action. Commission chairperson Tejinder Kaur said the commission has taken the suo moto notice and in a communiqué to the additional chief secretary home affairs. The commission has written to intervene besides ensuring the relief to the victim, stating that it is an act of atrocity on a member of the Scheduled Caste community. Meanwhile, a national-level campaign has been launched for the release of Nodeep after US vice-president Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris raised concern for the continued detention of Nodeep in a tweet on Saturday. The democratic rights organisations, trade unions, farmer organisations and student activists are demanding her release.

The Times of India

2021-02-11

Chandigarh