Punjab Police on Wednesday resorted to a lathi-charge on members of the agriculture labour unions who were marching towards Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Sangrur over their various demands.
The farmers were holding peaceful protests on the highway when the baton charge took place. According to sources, some farmers have also been detained. Meanwhile, with Gujarat elections approaching, CM Mann and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal are busy campaigning there.
The farmers were holding protests over demands including a hike in minimum wages to Rs 700 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 33 percent representation for Dalits in village cooperative societies, and enhancements to the land acquisition relief.
The demands also include compensation to the farmers for the deaths of their cattle due to lumpy skin disease, the release of reimbursement for their damaged crops, and the cancellation of FIRs for burning crop residue.
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also slammed the AAP government in Punjab. He accused Kejriwal of using all the money from Punjab in the Gujarat Assembly elections.
“Kejriwal showed his true form by lathi-charging Punjab farmers sitting on dharna outside CM Bhagwant Mann’s house. Instead of granting farmers’ rights, Kejriwal is weakening Punjab by investing all of Punjab’s money in promoting Gujarat.” he said.