Farmers Movement Archive

BJP leaders try to hold meeting, face protesting farmers

PATIALA: Tension mounted in Patiala on Thursday after farmers protested against BJP leaders holding a meeting in an inn near a temple in the city. Police intervened and averted a clash between farmers and BJP workers. Police managed to help BJP leader Gurtej Singh and party workers escape safely through another gate of the inn. However, farmers staged a protest near the bus stand traffic lights around noon on Thursday. Farmers sought an apology from the police for allegedly misbehaving and cane-charging them. They also demanded an assurance from BJP leaders to not come for any political meetings till the Centre resolved the issue of the three agricultural laws. Jang Singh Bhateri, Patiala president of Krantikari Kisan Union said, “Our union, along with farmers of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) protested against BJP leaders and workers for holding a meeting in the city. BJP leaders are making provocative statements against farmers in Punjab and holding meetings despite facing farmers’ protest.” BJP state executive member Gurtej Singh Dhillon said he, along with newly-appointed BJP leader from Ludhiana, on Thursday, was holding a meeting with party workers at the dharamshala (inn) of a local temple near the bus stand when farmers began to protest. “A clash did not take place but the way farmers are behaving and trying to indulge in violence cannot be justified. Farmers are our brothers and the issue of the agricultural laws can only be resolved with talks,” he said. He also urged chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh to give state police a free hand to maintain law and order. “On Wednesday, a few SAD (B) workers under the shadow of protesting farmers planned to set my vehicle on fire but a senior cop on duty saved my vehicle by deploying heavy police force. In both cases, I haven’t filed any legal complaint to the police against the farmers,” he alleged. Police denied lathicharge or use of force against the farmers. SSP Vikram Jeet Duggal said, “We haven’t resorted to lathicharge on farmers. No case has been registered against any farmer or BJP worker.”

The Times of India

2021-04-23

Ludhiana