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Muktsar, The district police today detained former MLA and Congress’ Kisan and Khet Mazdoor Cell chairman Inderjit Singh Zira along with 100 Congress activists for protesting outside the Chief Minister’s residence at Badal village in Lambi.
They were detained for allegedly violating the District Magistrate’s orders issued under Section 144 of the CrPC. They had given a call to lodge a statewide protest in view of problems being faced by farmers in selling paddy across the state. Despite the presence of a large number of police personnel at Badal village, Zira managed to reach outside the Badals’ residence along with his 20 supporters.
Sources said Zira had stayed at the house of a prominent politician in the village last night.
The police had put up various nakas to prevent Congress activists from reaching Badal village. Zira, wearing a black gown (as a mark of protest), and his supporters sat on the road outside the Badals’ residence. A police party led by Narinderpal Singh, Superintendent of Police (Headquarers) and Gurinderjit Singh, SP (Detective) was stationed there.
When the protesters started raising anti-government slogans, the police bundled them into their vehicles and took them to the Lambi police station. A minor scuffle took place between the policemen and protesters. None of the protesters was released till the filing of this report.
Earlier talking to The Tribune, Zira said: “They are holding the protest to make the ruling Badals aware of the problems being faced by the farmers.”
District Congress president Gurmeet Singh Khudian along with his supporters was detained from Lambi village where he had installed a tent to welcome activists of the Kisan and Khet Mazdoor Cell. Sharanjeet Singh, district president of the cell, too was detained along with his supporters on the outskirts of Muktsar while he was on his way to Badal village.
Kuldeep Chahal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Muktsar, said: “Nearly 100 Congress activists have been detained from across the district for violating the orders passed by the District Magistrate under Section 144 of the CrPC. They will be released only after they furnish bail bonds.”
Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa has condemned the arrest of Zira and other activists. In a statement, Bajwa said it was the right of the people to raise their voice against government’s indifference towards them.
