FARMERS BREAK POLICE BARRICADES OUTSIDE SANGRUR SSP OFFICE, CLASH WITH POLICE

Naresh Kumar/Sangrur

Farmers on Saturday broke through police barricades during a protest outside the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Sangrur, leading to a scuffle between protesters and police personnel. The farmers, responding to a state-level call given by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), had reached the SSP office to stage a gherao.

The situation turned tense when farmers moving towards the SSP office were stopped by police barricades. As the protesters attempted to move forward, police personnel tried to prevent them, resulting in a prolonged bout of pushing and jostling between the two sides.

Farmer leaders expressed strong resentment against the government during the protest, alleging that democratic rights were being suppressed in Punjab.They alleged that farmers, labourers, teachers and employees demanding their rights were being subjected to police action and lathi-charges.

The farmer leaders further alleged that the government had created an atmosphere of fear and tension across the state. They accused both the Centre and the Punjab government of ignoring the interests of ordinary people while pursuing policies that benefited large corporate houses.

The protesters said they would not tolerate such policies and would continue their struggle for the protection of democratic and public rights.