Farmers Movement Archive

Shots fired at Harsimrat event, Akalis say for scaring attackers

Ferozepur: Shiromani Akali Dal leader Vardev Singh Noni Mann fired in the air outside the venue of a SAD event near Makhu Gate here on Wednesday when some people from a crowd protesting against the party attacked his security guards. The SAD claimed that the attackers belonged to the Congress. The incident took place when protesters outside the venue and SAD workers started shouting slogans against each other. SAD claimed that during this time, some unidentified persons damaged the vehicles of Mann, who is the SAD candidate from Guru Har Sahai, and former MLA Joginder Singh Jindu from Ferozepur Rural. According to reports, when the security guards of Mann and Jindu tried to save the leaders, the assailants reportedly beat up the guards and tore their uniforms. However, the assailants fled after Mann took out his pistol and fired a few shots in the air in order to save the guards, SAD claimed. Following this, the situation turned tense, but the police intervened and the mob was dispersed. Later, all Akali and BSP leaders led by former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal met the SSP of the district and demanded registration of a case against Congress for their alleged hooliganism. Harsimrat alleged that sensing defeat, local Congress MLA Parminder Singh Pinki has been terrorizing our party workers and leaders by patronizing anti-social elements, but the people of the area are fed up from the excesses of Pinki and Congress and they would be given a befitting reply by the voters of Ferozepur. In her speech during the SAD event, Bathinda MP Harsimrat alleged that Punjab farmers were being harassed on the roads to arrange diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer while chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi was busy with photo sessions. She said farmers were being exploited financially as DAP was being black marketed, mandis were choked with paddy and the Punjab government had stopped procurement on the instance of the Centre. Harsimrat said it would have been better if the CM had gone to the Union ministers in Delhi to ensure availability of fertilizers. Terming the recent announcement by the Channi government as a mere election stunt, Harsimrat said cheap sand, electricity and other announcements made by the Punjab cabinet were nothing, but an attempt to lure the voters in the state. Farmer groups demanded registration of a case against SAD leaders under attempt to murder charges. They accused the leaders of trying to run over the farmers and indulging in firing when they (farmers) wanted to put questions before Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The SKM has given a call for massive protest at Ferozepur on Thursday to press the administration for taking stern action against Akalis. The farmers claimed that one of the SUV being driven by Akali leaders, including Vardev Singh Noni Mann, dragged BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) leader Harnek Singh Mehma for long. BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) state president Buta Singh Burjgill said the Akalis in a bid to save MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal from being questioned by the assembled farmers tried to run over them in a huff and even fired some gunshots. The farmers have decided to assemble at Ferozepur in large numbers to hold a protest seeking action against Akalis.

The Times of India

2021-11-11

Chandigarh