NIA searches woman farm leader Sukhwinder Kaur’s Bathinda house, activists protest

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 30

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted a raid at the residence of Sukhwinder Kaur, general secretary, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari), in Rampura Phul, Bathinda.

Misuse of central agencies: Pandher

• Farm leaders camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders condemned the NIA raid, which came just a day before the completion of 200 days of “Dilli Challo” protest
• Farm leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “Earlier, the Centre tried to label farmers as Khalistanis but failed. Now, central agencies are being misused to pressurise farm leaders.”
• He said Harpinder Singh, husband of Sukhwinder Kaur, was earlier arrested under the UAPA and was granted bail. He was staying at home since a long time, he added

The search operation began in the early morning and was carried out under tight security.

Sukhwinder has been actively involved in the ongoing farmers’ movement (Dilli Chalo) and has been a vocal advocate for the farmers’ rights.

The NIA’s action comes as part of a broader investigation into alleged links between certain farmer leaders and separatist elements.

Sources indicate that the agency was acting on intelligence inputs suggesting the possible involvement of some individuals in activities that could threaten national security.

During the two-hour raid, Sukhwinder was not present in the house as she was camping at the Shambhu border.

Several farm leaders condemned the raid and termed it as an attempt to intimidate those involved in the farmers’ movement. “This is nothing but a tactic to silence our voices. We will not be deterred by such actions,” said an associate of Sukhwinder.

Surjit Singh Phul, head, BKU (Krantikari), said, “The government is scared of the ongoing morcha at the Shambhu border. The NIA team searched Sukhwinder’s house and took away some of her literature. Sukhwinder is a prominent face of the union. Such raids are a pressure tactic of the BJP government.”

The Opposition criticised the Centre for misusing security agencies. They demanded transparency in the investigation and questioned the timing of the raid.

Members of several farm unions staged protest against the raid and demanded an immediate end to the “harassment” of their leaders.

The NIA has yet to issue an official statement in this regard. The raid would fuel further tensions between the Central Government and farm unions, which have been at loggerheads for the past few years over farm policies.