Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has strongly criticised the government over the detention of protesting farmers at the Shambhu border, describing the current situation in Punjab as "tragic times."
Speaking about Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Channi claimed that the farming community was "under attack" as part of a "conspiracy."
“Aaj Punjab ke upar ek badi vipda ka din hai (Punjab is going through tragic times). Our CM met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and farmers are being attacked as part of a conspiracy. Not just Punjab but the entire farming community is facing a big attack today," the Congress MP stated.
Referring to negotiations between farmers and the Centre, Channi alleged that the government was "deceiving, maligning and attacking them from behind" while simultaneously engaging in talks. He further argued that farmers were not obstructing roads but were being prevented from reaching Delhi.
"A meeting was held (in Chandigarh) in which it was decided that the next round of talks would be held on May 4, but they (farmers) were attacked from behind. They are being deceived and maligned. The road has been blocked by the government, not by the farmers. They (farmers) want to come to Delhi," he stated.
Meanwhile, former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal denounced the Punjab government over the "arrest" of protesting farmers, who have been advocating for various demands, including a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops.
Also read: Heavy deployment at Shambhu after farmers protest crackdown
Badal accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of betraying its promises and ignoring farmers' demands.
“The Bhagwant Mann government, which promised to give MSP to the farmers of Punjab in five minutes, is not even ready to listen to the legitimate demands of the farmers today. I strongly condemn the forcible abduction of farmer leaders and farmers," he wrote on Facebook.
Demanding their release, Badal further stated, "The Punjab government should immediately release the arrested farmers and accept their demands."
Several farmer leaders have been detained by the police, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who remains on an indefinite fast, and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader and national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait also condemned the government’s actions, stating, "On one hand, the government is negotiating with the farmer organisations and on the other hand, it is arresting them."
The Shambhu border remained tense on Tuesday as protesting farmers clashed with authorities.
The Haryana Police deployed bulldozers to remove concrete barricades at the protest site, intensifying restrictions on the farmers’ movement. Punjab Police also intervened to disperse demonstrators.
Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh maintained that the entire road would be cleared and reopened for traffic.
“We did not use force as the protesting farmers cooperated with us. A few individuals showed willingness to return home, so they were sent back on a bus. The entire road will be cleared and opened for traffic," he maintained.
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