Farmers Movement Archive

Narrow escape for Chandigarh BJP leaders as farmers damage vehicles

In the first such incident in Chandigarh, farmers protesting against the Centre’s farm laws attacked the vehicles of BJP leader Sanjay Tandon and mayor Ravi Kant Sharma on Saturday. Police said Tandon and Sharma escaped unhurt but their vehicles were damaged in the incident at the Motor Market in Sector 48. At least 250 members of the Naujawan Kisan Ekta were rounded up for the attack and taken to the Sector 31 police station. While police are working to identify those who attacked the leaders, they have registered a case against 25 people by names. “We have booked 25 persons and those involved in the attack are being identified. No one will be allowed to disrupt the law and order,” said Kuldeep Singh Chahal, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Chandigarh. The FIR has been lodged under Sections 147, 148, 149, 341, 427, 307, 506, 269 and 270 of the Indian Penal Code at the Sector 49 police station. A tractor of the protesters has been impounded. Also read: Tipped to be Punjab Congress chief, Sidhu meets Jakhar for ‘guidance’Were attending a thanksgiving function by tradersSince Friday, a video had been doing the rounds, appealing farmers to gather at the Motor Market where a function will be organised to honour BJP leaders. The party had apprised the police of the video and after assurance from senior police officials, its leaders had gone for the function. As soon as their vehicles drove in, the protesters, carrying black flags under the banner of Naujawan Kisan Ekta, raised slogans against them. “The market association of Sector 48 had organised a thanksgiving programme to honour BJP leaders. When we reached the venue, protesters were gathered there but they were stopped by police. Through the one hour of the function, the protesters continued to raise slogans and even played loud music to disturb the event,” said Ravi Kant Sharma, Chandigarh mayor. As soon as he and Tandon left the venue in separate cars, the protesters armed with bricks, stones and lathis attacked their vehicles, damaging both front and rear windshields. Sharma said a protester lied down before his official vehicle and others managed to open a door. “A youth armed with an iron rod even tried to enter but was restrained. These were goons carrying out the attack under the garb of farmers’ agitation,” he alleged. Police caught unprepared?Raising concerns over the police arrangements, Tandon said, “Someone has to be answerable for this. The police were told well in advance about the video, but still there were lapses, which led to the attack. I have apprised home minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda about the incident.” On the police’s part, SSP Chahal said adequate force was deployed and action was underway against the attackers.SKM demands immediate release of farmers Sanyukat Kisan Morcha leader and president of All India Kisan Federation (AIKF) Prem Singh Bhangu and Vipin Kumar, a member of the Lawyers’ Defence Committee for Farmers, in joint statement strongly condemned the use of police force against farmers who were protesting peacefully. Stating that one farmer was injured and 25 were arrested, they demanded the immediate release of the arrested farmers, withdrawal of the case registered against them and peaceful resolution of the incident through negotiation with farmers. Saturday’s incident is the latest in the backlash that BJP leaders have been facing from farmers in the agrarian states of Punjab and Haryana against the Centre’s farm laws.On June 26, police had to use water cannons to disperse protesting farmers when they broke barricades on the Chandigarh-Mohali border in a bid to march towards the Punjab Raj Bhawan to hand over a memorandum to governor VP Singh Badnore, demanding the repeal of the farm laws. The protesters, led by Balbir Singh Rajewal, were stopped near Sector 17 in the heart of Chandigarh and prevented from heading to Raj Bhawan. Finally, Rajewal handed over the memorandum to the Chandigarh deputy commissioner for giving it to the governor.

Hindustan Times

18-07-2021

Chandigarh