Farmers Movement Archive

‘Must act over assault on Sidhana’s cousin’

Chandigarh: SAD and Dal Khalsa on Sunday condemned Delhi Police after gangster-turned-social activist Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana, who has been leading protests against farm laws, accused the police force of illegally abducting his cousin Gurdeep Singh alias Mundi Sidhana from Patiala, assaulting him and then leaving him in Ambala. Leaders of the two outfits demanded action against the Delhi Police team which allegedly carried out the operation. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed that Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh was “directly responsible” for atrocities being inflicted on youth who participated in the farmers’ protest. “We want to ask Amarinder why is he allowing Delhi Police to indulge in such acts? Delhi Police do not have any jurisdiction in Punjab, but Amarinder is allowing it to conduct raids with impunity in the state and arrest youth on flimsy charges,” said Sukhbir, adding that this needed to be stopped immediately. Sukhbir demanded the rgeistration of a case against the Delhi Police team which was allegedly involved in the abduction and assault. “We demand that you stand up to protect the rights of the youth of the state and register a criminal case against the Delhi Police team which abducted and tortured Mundi,” said Sukhbir. Sukhbir’s party was an ally of Bharatiya Janata Party before the two parted ways over the farm laws passed last year. Dal Khalsa head Harpal Singh Cheema said it was ridiculous that Delhi Police entered Punjab unchecked and abducted Gurdeep. “Lakha’s relatives are being targeted for no fault of theirs and it is ironic that Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has maintained a studied silence by not questioning Delhi Police for violating Punjab government’s constitutional authority,” he said. Cheema demanded legal action against Delhi Police officers who took law into their hands. Citing an example of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Cheema said she put CBI officials behind bars when they encroached on West Bengal’s jurisdiction.

The Times of India

2021-04-12

Chandigarh