Shocking twist! Protesting farmers in Punjab detained after 'False' Talks with govt

Punjab: Some of the main farmer leaders, such as Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained when they returned from a meeting with central government officials in Mohali. Dallewal, who had been placed on an indefinite hunger strike, was arrested while being transported in an ambulance. Others who were arrested were Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Singh Kotra, and Manjit Singh Rai. Pandher was arrested at the Zirakpur barrier and subsequently shifted to Bahadurgarh Commando Police Training Centre at Patiala.

Massive police deployment at protest points

After the crackdown, a large security force was deployed at both protest sites. Approximately 3,000 police personnel, headed by DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu, were present at Khanauri, with another force stationed at Shambhu. Officials asked the protesters to disperse within ten minutes, and following that, they were detained and taken away in buses parked on the spot. The deployment had ambulances, riot control vehicles, and fire-fighting gear to contain any resistance.

Punjab Minister defends police action

The Finance Minister of Punjab, Harpal Singh Cheema, explained the evictions, citing the economic burden incurred from long road blockades. According to him, businesses and industries were adversely affected by the closure of the roads and clarified that the central government should receive the demands from the farmers. Cheema remained adamant that reopening the traffic channels to normality was critical to the economic balance of the state.

Protesting farmers call Govt. Betrayers

After the eviction, farmers criticized the Punjab government for supposedly misleading them. Protesters alleged that state officials enticed them into talks only to arrest their leaders later. Some farmers fought with police personnel and chanted slogans against the AAP ruling government, showing their anger at the way the situation was handled.

Political leaders condemn police crackdown

Opposition parties such as the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) vehemently condemned the government's actions. Congress MLA Amarinder Singh Raja Warring blamed the central and Punjab governments for conspiring against farmers. Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also cautioned CM Bhagwant Mann against divine vengeance for his actions.

SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal went a step ahead, accusing CM Mann of going back on his pre-election promises to farmers and cheating them. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also attacked the government, saying that the arrests were politically motivated in view of the Ludhiana West by-election.

SAD and BJP leaders question Punjab government's motives

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema denounced the arrests as undemocratic and unwarranted. He asked why farmer leaders were arrested soon after meeting central officials when another round of talks had been fixed for May 4. Cheema blamed the Punjab government for betraying farmers to placate its political masters in Delhi.

Punjab police denies use of force

Patiala SSP Nanak Singh asserted that the eviction was done peacefully under the observation of duty magistrates. He claimed that farmers were warned prior to the clearance and many voluntarily boarded buses to head back home. Singh ensured that no force was needed, and all protest installations were being dismantled to restore the highway. Once Haryana Police finish their operations, normal vehicular traffic will resume.

Government to have next round of negotiations on May 4

Even after the removal of protest camps, the central government proceeded with the talks with the farmer representatives. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan characterized the negotiations as constructive but did not bring about a final conclusion. The next round of talks has been arranged for May 4.

DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu justified the eviction on the grounds that the protest was unlawful because of prohibitory orders. He also called upon youth protesters to stop being violent against security personnel. Police also used JCB machines to clear the road and demolish all the remaining protest tents.