Farmers Movement Archive

Pro-Khalistan slogans painted on Ludhiana-Chandigarh NH

Ludhiana: Some unidentified miscreants allegedly wrote pro-Khalistan slogans at many spots on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh National Highway near Samrala. The messages, apparently written recently, drew the attention of people on Sunday, while the police are probing the matter.Sources said miscreants have painted slogans like ‘Kisan Hal Khalistan (solution to farmers’ problems is creation of Khalistan) and ‘Referendum 2020 Khalistan’ at three places—near Neelon, Samrala Bypass and Chehlan on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road. They said slogans have been written with red ink to incite the farmers protesting against the farm laws.Jagdev Singh, a resident of Neelon Colony, said such slogans were painted in the area earlier as well and then erased by the police. He said these ones have probably been painted about four days ago and they don’t know who wrote them.Meanwhile, a leader of the Shiva Sena condemned the incident and sought action. Punjab Youth Shiv Sena president Raman Kumar Badera said he was on his way to Ludhiana when he saw the slogans and it seemed to be the handiwork of those who want to create a wedge between Hindus and Sikhs. He requested the Khanna SSP to take action against the accused. Farmers don’t demand Khalistan, and such elements shouldn’t create hurdles in their agitation, he added.Samrala DSP Harwinder Singh said they were probing the matter, would book unidentified persons, and also get the slogans erased. Police officials said that it appeared to be the work of those who want to disturb peace in Punjab.By evening, the slogans were blackened at Neelon bridge.Farmers organizations said such issues were not on their agenda.A farmer leader said, “We have been tagged as Khalistanis and Maoists, but our agenda is to fight against the farm laws. Those who don’t want our agitation to succeed are using such tactics to defeat our struggle.”

The Times of India

2021-08-02

Ludhiana