Bathinda Farmers Clash with Police Again Over Activists' Release, Injuries Reported
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, activists from the farmer organization BKU Ekta Ugrahan engaged in a second violent confrontation with police in less than two weeks in Bathinda district, Punjab. The clash centered on demands for the release of two incarcerated activists, Shagandeep Singh and Baldev Singh, and resulted in multiple injuries and detentions.
Violent Showdown at Jeond Village
The confrontation unfolded at Jeond village, located in the Rampura Phool sub-division of Bathinda near the Bathinda-Chandigarh national highway. According to reports, four protesters sustained injuries during the clash, which involved tear gas shells and stone pelting from both sides. The injured were initially admitted to Rampura civil hospital, with one case being referred to Ludhiana for further treatment.
Hundreds of activists, including women, had assembled in Jeond village following a call by BKU Ekta Ugrahan. Their plan was to march towards Bathinda to stage a protest sit-in at the District Administrative Complex. However, police intervened to prevent their movement, citing concerns about potential highway blockages similar to those that occurred on February 6.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
Villagers claimed that police resorted to tear gas without warning while they were heading towards a religious dera, catching them completely off guard. In response to the tear gas, some villagers began pelting stones in what they described as self-defense, prompting police to retaliate with stone pelting of their own.
"In the nearly three decades of our lives in farm organizations, we never saw such a brutal attack by police on villagers without any provocation," stated BKU Ugrahan district Bathinda president Shingara Singh and general secretary Harjinder Singh Baggi. "The villagers assembled peacefully and had no intention to take on the police, but the police continued lobbing tear gas shells for a prolonged period, resulting in serious injuries to some protesters."
Police Response and Legal Developments
Bathinda SSP Jyoti Yadav offered a different perspective, stating that "farmers started pelting stones and pieces of bricks from the rooftops, and police acted in retaliation to disperse them." She confirmed that some police personnel sustained injuries during the action and mentioned that medical opinions were being obtained to determine appropriate next steps. While some protesters were detained, they had subsequently been released.
In a significant legal development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted bail to both Shagandeep Singh and Baldev Singh. Senior advocate Harchand Singh Batth, representing the activists, noted that despite opposition from state counsel, the court allowed bail based on the merits of the case. Both activists had been arrested on April 5, 2025, in connection with a previous confrontation with police at Rampura Phool on January 6, 2025, when BKU Ugrahan activists supported protesting teachers from Adarsh School Chaoke in Bathinda.
Background and Escalating Tensions
This latest incident follows a similar showdown on February 6, during which five different FIRs were registered against over 2,000 activists. Prior to Wednesday's clash, police had conducted raids at the residences of several organization leaders and deployed substantial forces at strategic locations between Barnala and Bathinda, using barricades to prevent farmer movements.
A senior police official confirmed that 31 activists were detained during the latest confrontation, with talks underway between authorities and farmer representatives. The official indicated that any further action would depend on the outcome of these discussions.
Injuries and Organizational Response
BKU Ekta Ugrahan leaders reported that two protesters sustained particularly serious injuries. Preet Singh of Jeond village suffered a significant hand injury from a tear gas shell, while Charanjit Singh of Mari village sustained injuries to his forehead and left leg, including a fracture. Preet Singh was admitted to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana, while Charanjit Singh received treatment at Apex Hospital in Rampura Phool.
Organization President Joginder Singh Ugrahan announced plans to hold rallies in villages on Thursday to protest against the state government and continue advocating for the activists' release. Meanwhile, various organizations, including several farmer groups, have criticized both the state government and Bathinda police for their handling of the situation.
The recurring clashes highlight the ongoing tensions between farmer organizations and authorities in Punjab, with activists continuing to mobilize around issues of civil liberties and protest rights. As both sides prepare for potential further confrontations, the situation remains volatile in Bathinda district.
