Farmers Movement Archive

2 farm groups clash in Shahzadpur grain market, case registered

Ambala: Two groups of farmers clashed inside grain market at Shahzadpur in Naraingarh block of Ambala district on Saturday. Five persons from one group have been allegedly injured and are identified as Kuldeep, Kanwarpal Rana, Dharampal Rana and Narpat Rana of Shahzadpur in Ambala district and Jagdeep of Baagwali village in Panchkula district. According to the information, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Charuni) had organised a farmers’ meeting at grain market Shahzadpur on Saturday, to discuss mobilising farmers to Delhi borders. Charuni reached Shahzadpur at about 11.30am, for meeting farmers from two districts and mobilise support for ongoing agitation. Hundreds of farmers from the region had attended the meeting and Charuni also invited them to attend the big mahapanchayat to be held at Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh on September 5. Meanwhile, Narpat Rana along with his brother Kanwarpal Rana and 10 to 15 supporters reached the grain market and started raising slogans against Charuni while holding black flags in their hands. Charuni’s union members first asked them to refrain from the opposition but Narpat’s supporters did not listen. Soon, both groups indulged in heated arguments and then Narpat’s supporters were allegedly assaulted by Charuni’s union members. No police force was deputed at the grain market in Shahzadpur to maintain the law and order. Five supporters of Narpat Rana allegedly received injuries, whose medical were conducted at the community health centre (CHC), Shahzadpur, of whom, three were later referred to Ambala, while two were being treated at Shahzadpur. The farmers associated with BKU (Charuni) said, “Narpat Rana was informed in advance that we are calling Gurnam Singh Charuni for a meeting and should not oppose but he did not listen.” Narpat changed three unions in three years In 2019, Gurnam Singh Charuni lead a farmers’ agitation in Naraingarh for pending sugarcane dues and the sugar mill at Banondi village was closed on January 2, 2019. After five-day-long agitation by the sugarcane farmers in Naraingarh, the administration and mill management had accepted their demands. Till here, Narpat Rana was with BKU (Charuni) and when the sugarcane agitation was about to end, Narpat and Charuni group had scuffled with each other. Following which, Narpat Rana joined BKU (Tikait) group lead by its Haryana president Rattan Mann and was appointed block president. Narpat could not stay for long with BKU (Tikait) and then he had joined hands with BKU (Mann) lead by its Haryana president Guni Parkash. Now, Narpat has parted ways with BKU (Mann) as well and he is president of Bhaichara Union.

The Times of India

2021-08-29

Chandigarh