Punjab Police Clashes with Farmers Over Protest March in Bathinda
Chaotic scenes erupted in Bathinda on Friday as Punjab Police resorted to tear gas shells and lathi-charge to disperse farmers who were marching to demand the release of two jailed members of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) Ekta Ugrahan. The protest led to widespread detentions, traffic disruptions, and confrontations across several districts in the state.
Police Barricades Seal Bathinda, Sparking Traffic Gridlock
Authorities set up extensive barricades and nakas on highways and arterial roads in Barnala, Sangrur, Mansa, and Bathinda districts, effectively sealing Bathinda from neighbouring areas. This move resulted in a severe traffic jam on the Bathinda-Chandigarh Highway that lasted for hours, impacting commuters and emergency services.
Visuals from the scene showed a woman stranded on the national highway with an infant in her arms, while an ambulance struggled to navigate through the congestion. Several school vans were also caught in the jam, highlighting the widespread disruption caused by the police action.
Farmers' Demands and Police Response
The farmers were attempting to march towards the District Administrative Complex in Bathinda to protest the incarceration of two BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) leaders, who have been lodged in Bathinda jail since April last year. According to Sukhdev Singh, a senior leader of the farmers' outfit, their arrests followed the union's support for a group of teachers protesting against alleged corruption at a school.
Police officials stated that a large number of personnel were deployed to maintain law and order, with restrictions imposed to prevent traffic disruption or potential clashes. SSP Bathinda Jyoti Yadav emphasized that the situation was being managed through dialogue, with efforts underway to defuse tensions.
Widespread Detentions and Allegations of Suppression
Prior to the protest, several BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) leaders were detained across Punjab in what farmer representatives described as a preemptive move to suppress a peaceful demonstration. Jhanda Singh Jethuke, vice-president of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), claimed that hundreds of union members, including 12 senior leaders, were detained, with police raids beginning on Thursday night in districts such as Barnala, Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Bathinda, and Mansa.
Harinder Bindu, president of the union's women's wing, alleged that several women leaders were also detained, denying farmers their right to assemble. The union members attempted to cross barricades but were prevented by police, leading to scuffles in areas like Tapa in Barnala district.
Political Reactions and Future Plans
Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa criticized the AAP-led Punjab government, contrasting its use of lathis and tear gas against farmers with the Congress's historical support during agricultural struggles. He lamented what he called a "painful shift" in the state's approach to farmer issues.
Following the incidents, BKU Ugrahan leaders announced that they would determine their next course of action after a meeting of office bearers. Many of the detained protesters were released later in the night, but farmers staged dharnas at various locations in the state to protest the detentions.
Singh added that talks had been ongoing with authorities regarding the release of the jailed leaders, with assurances received that the issue would be resolved, though tensions remain high as the farmers' movement continues to advocate for their demands.
