New Delhi [India]: Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi strongly criticized the government over the detention of protesting farmers at the Shambhu border, describing the current situation in Punjab as “tragic times.”
Channi commented on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the farming community was facing an orchestrated attack.
“Aaj Punjab ke upar ek badi vipda ka din hai (Punjab is going through tragic times). Our CM met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and farmers are being attacked as part of a conspiracy. Not just Punjab but the entire farming community is facing a big attack today,” Channi told media.
He claimed that despite the government’s talks with farmers, they were being misled, criticized, and prevented from reaching Delhi.
“A meeting was held (in Chandigarh) in which it was decided that the next round of talks would be held on May 4, but they (farmers) were attacked from behind. They are being deceived and maligned. The road has been blocked by the government, not by the farmers. They (farmers) want to come to Delhi,” he added.
Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also condemned the detention of the farmers. He criticized the Punjab government for failing to address the farmers’ demands despite earlier promises of ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
“The Bhagwant Mann government, which promised to give MSP to the farmers of Punjab in five minutes, is not even ready to listen to the legitimate demands of the farmers today. I strongly condemn the forcible abduction of farmer leaders and farmers,” Badal said in a Facebook post.
He urged the Punjab government to release the detained farmers immediately and fulfill their demands.
Among those detained were prominent farmer leaders such as Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is currently on an indefinite fast, and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait also criticized the government’s actions, stating:
“On one hand, the government is negotiating with the farmer organizations and on the other hand, it is arresting them.”
Tensions escalated at the Shambhu Border as Haryana Police deployed bulldozers to dismantle concrete barricades set up to restrict farmer movements. Punjab Police also took steps to disperse the protesters.
Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh confirmed that the road would be cleared without the use of force.
“A few people showed a willingness to go home. So, they were sent home on a bus. The entire road will be cleared and opened for traffic,” SSP Singh told media.