New Delhi [India], December 8: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has lashed out at the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab, accusing it of having a covert alliance with the central government. Pandher also raised concerns over the state government’s actions to curb media coverage, despite its claims of supporting farmers and laborers.
Pandher alleged that the Punjab government was trying to conceal the central government’s actions, urging Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to clarify their position. “We had previously said that the Bhagwant Mann government seems to have some kind of alliance with the central government. Today, with the way the media is being restricted, the CM and Kejriwal must explain this. If they claim to stand with farmers and laborers, why are they preventing the media from covering the issues? The true face of the Punjab government is now exposed. Earlier, we were only opposing the central government, but now we are forced to confront the state government as well. The Punjab government is trying to silence what the central government is doing,” Pandher said.
In response to the ongoing farmer protests at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border, Pandher confirmed that a group of 101 farmers would march towards Delhi at 12 noon today to voice their demands.
Ahead of the protest, Patiala’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) issued a memorandum urging media personnel to maintain a safe distance from the protest site. This came after an incident on December 6, 2024, where media workers were injured. SSP Nanak Singh clarified, “The media has not been stopped, and we have no such intentions. However, we felt the need to brief the media due to safety concerns. Last time, several journalists were injured. We are committed to ensuring their safety, and if needed, we have a medical team ready for evacuation.”