Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab MLAs’ panel suggests legal aid, compensation for farmers facing Jan 26 cases

BATHINDA: The committee of MLAs formed by Punjab legislative assembly to look into grievances of farmers protesting against contentious farm laws, has recommended to provide legal aid and compensation to aggrieved farmers, who are facing cases registered after violent incidents on January 26 during tractor parade in Delhi. The committee is expected to submit its report around August 15, but it has urged the state government to take immediate measures of legal aid and compensation to the farmers. The committee was formed by the assembly speaker to look into excesses committed allegedly by Delhi Police, especially on or after January 26, and also by Haryana police on November 26, 2020, when farmers were heading for Delhi. The committee has listened to farmers and recorded their statements in many districts of the state. Many cases were registered at different police stations in Delhi on January 26 against protesting farmers. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha too have set up panels of lawyers too contest the cases of booked farmers. All the booked farmers have already got bails in cases which are at different stages in Delhi courts. Committee head MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid said they had been listening to the grievances of aggrieved farmers, who were protesting against farm laws for over eight months on the borders of Delhi. “We have recommended immediate legal aid and compensation for aggrieved farmers. Now it is up to the state government on how it provides assistance, may be by forming a panel of advocates or in some other way, and also how it compensates farmers who faced onslaught of Delhi Police,” he said. Apart from Vaid, MLAs Saravjit Kaur Manuke, Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra, Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa and Kulbir Singh Zira are members of committee which started meeting farmers from Moga on June 3.

The Times of India

2021-08-01

Amritsar