Amritsar (Punjab) [India]: Farmers in Punjab gathered at the Golden Gate in Amritsar on Wednesday to protest against the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government. The protest was organized to demand the release of farmers allegedly arrested by the Punjab Police and to express dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of farmers’ issues.
DSP Maninder Singh Pal confirmed that all necessary arrangements were in place for the protest, including the deployment of security forces.
“All arrangements are in place. Force has been deployed. We are alert. Farmers are here. Protest will be done here (at Golden Gate),” Pal stated.
Effigy Burning and Key Demands
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced plans to burn effigies of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in different districts as a mark of protest. He also demanded the release of detained farmers and condemned the alleged human rights violations by the state government.
“We will have programmes in around 18 districts. At 21 locations in Amritsar alone, we will burn effigies of the Bhagwant Mann government. Today’s programme will be done at hundreds of locations across Punjab,” Pandher told ANI.
He further added,
“SKM’s Punjab Union’s leader was detained along with the leadership of Kisan Majdoor Morcha. Today’s programme is against the human rights violations of farmers. It will be done peacefully. We demand that all arrested farmers should be released.”
Accusations Against CM Bhagwant Mann
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Gurbachan Singh Chhaba strongly criticized Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of instigating people and siding with the Central Government to suppress farmers’ protests.
Chhaba condemned the Chief Minister for allegedly leaving a meeting with farmer leaders midway and for the detention of several farmer leaders.
“We have seen such a CM for the first time, someone who leaves a meeting with farmers midway. Someone who gets the houses of farmer leaders raided, detains them at their houses, and gets them arrested,” Chhaba told ANI.
He further accused the Bhagwant Mann Government of violating human rights and stated that the farmers’ demands were legitimate and not unlawful.
“Bhagwant Mann is playing into the hands of the Centre to violate the human rights of farmers. People will never accept this. We will burn the effigy of Bhagwant Mann. Our protest is always peaceful. Bhagwant Mann is instigating people. This is bad,” Chhaba emphasized.
Key Highlights:
- Farmers protest against the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government at Golden Gate, Amritsar.
- Effigies of CM Bhagwant Mann to be burned at multiple locations.
- Farmer leaders demand the release of detained farmers and accuse the government of human rights violations.
- Gurbachan Singh Chhaba criticizes CM Mann for abandoning meetings and playing into the hands of the Central Government.