The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ekta Ugrahan staged a protest in Fazilka on Tuesday, demanding the immediate cancellation of a First Information Report (FIR) registered against a local farmer. The union alleges that the FIR was lodged on false charges and amounts to police harassment of the farming community.
Protest Details
Dozens of farmers, led by union leaders, gathered at the district administration office in Fazilka, raising slogans against the police and the state government. They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, calling for the withdrawal of the case and action against the officers involved in what they termed a 'malicious' filing.
Union's Allegations
According to BKU Ekta Ugrahan leaders, the farmer in question was falsely implicated in a case related to a minor dispute over land boundaries. The union claims that the police acted on the complaint of a rival party without proper investigation, leading to the registration of the FIR. 'This is a clear case of harassment. The farmer has been dragged into legal trouble for no fault of his. We demand the FIR be quashed immediately,' said a senior union leader.
The protestors also warned of intensifying their agitation if their demands were not met within a week. They have planned a series of demonstrations across the district, including road blockades and sit-ins, to pressure the authorities.
Government Response
District officials assured the delegation that their demands would be examined. The Deputy Commissioner stated that a review of the FIR would be conducted, and if any irregularities were found, appropriate action would be taken. However, no immediate commitment was made regarding the cancellation of the case.
This protest is part of a larger movement by farmer unions in Punjab, who have been vocal against what they perceive as increasing police high-handedness and legal actions against farmers. The BKU Ekta Ugrahan has been at the forefront of several such agitations in recent months, demanding better legal protections for farmers and fair treatment from law enforcement agencies.
