Chandigarh, March 4 – Leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) have alleged that Punjab Police conducted pre-dawn raids at the residences of several farmer leaders on Tuesday, detaining some of them ahead of the scheduled protest in Chandigarh on March 5.
The alleged police action comes a day after talks between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and SKM representatives collapsed without resolution. With many farmer leaders reportedly going underground to evade arrests, the SKM has condemned the crackdown, calling it an attempt to suppress their movement.
"With such actions, the government cannot stifle the voice of farmers. We are fighting for legitimate demands," said Lakhowal, alleging that police have been stationed outside his residence.
Similarly, BKU (Rajewal) vice president Mukesh Chander Sharma claimed his house was raided at 4 AM and denounced the police action as an attempt to intimidate farmers.
However, Mann refuted this claim, stating that his government remains open to discussions but insisted that protests should not inconvenience the public.
"It is our right to protest. We warn the state government not to use police force to silence us," said Lakhowal, emphasizing that their fight for farmers' rights will continue.
While Punjab Police has yet to issue an official response to the allegations, tensions remain high as farmers prepare for their Chandigarh agitation.
The alleged police action comes a day after talks between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and SKM representatives collapsed without resolution. With many farmer leaders reportedly going underground to evade arrests, the SKM has condemned the crackdown, calling it an attempt to suppress their movement.
Raids and Detentions Spark Outrage
Farm leader Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary of Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal), claimed that police raided multiple homes early in the morning."With such actions, the government cannot stifle the voice of farmers. We are fighting for legitimate demands," said Lakhowal, alleging that police have been stationed outside his residence.
Similarly, BKU (Rajewal) vice president Mukesh Chander Sharma claimed his house was raided at 4 AM and denounced the police action as an attempt to intimidate farmers.
Breakdown in Talks Escalates Tensions
The police action follows an unsuccessful meeting on Monday between the Punjab government and SKM representatives. According to farmer leaders, CM Bhagwant Mann abruptly walked out of the meeting in anger, leaving negotiations unresolved.However, Mann refuted this claim, stating that his government remains open to discussions but insisted that protests should not inconvenience the public.
SKM’s Demands and Protest Plan
The SKM, which spearheaded the 2020 protests against the now-repealed farm laws, has called for a week-long sit-in in Chandigarh starting March 5. Their key demands include:- Withdrawal of the Centre’s National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing
- Legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) as per the Swaminathan Commission
- Implementation of Punjab’s agricultural policy
- State procurement of six crops at MSP
- A law for debt settlement and water accessibility for all farmers
- Clearance of sugarcane arrears
- Halting forced land acquisition for the Bharatmala project
Call for Mass Mobilization
Despite the crackdown, SKM leaders are urging farmers to gather in large numbers for the protest."It is our right to protest. We warn the state government not to use police force to silence us," said Lakhowal, emphasizing that their fight for farmers' rights will continue.
While Punjab Police has yet to issue an official response to the allegations, tensions remain high as farmers prepare for their Chandigarh agitation.
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