Ahead of the farmers' protest in Chandigarh on March 5, Punjab Police carried out late-night raids on Tuesday, detaining several leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).
The action comes as tensions rise between the protesting farmers and the government, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly criticising the farmer unions. He accused them of turning Punjab into a "state of dharnas" and causing significant economic losses.
The SKM has strongly condemned the police crackdown, calling it a dictatorial move by the AAP government to suppress people's rights. Farmer leaders argue that such actions will not silence their movement. Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal asserted that the government cannot stifle the voice of farmers through such tactics.
The SKM also criticised the Punjab government for failing to pressure the Union government into addressing farmers' concerns through dialogue.
Instead, they accused the administration of resorting to oppressive measures, such as deploying police forces to raid the homes of farmer leaders in the middle of the night. The organisation labelled this approach as politically unjust and highly unfortunate.
Demanding the immediate release of all detained leaders, the farmers' body reported that Punjab Police conducted raids at the residences of several prominent leaders, including Balbir Singh Rajewal, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Gurmeet Singh Bhatiwal, Nachhattar Singh Jaiton, Veerpal Singh Dhillon, Binder Singh Golewal, Gurnam Bhikhi, and Harmesh Singh.
The detentions have further fueled anger among farmers, intensifying the standoff between the protesting unions and the government.
Also Read: Farmers rally in Punjab, burn CM Mann’s effigies statewide
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