Farmers protest, lay siege to Kathunangal toll plaza

Amritsar, February 3

Members of the Bharti Kisan Union Ekta Sidhupur laid siege to the toll plaza at Kathunangal on the Amritsar-Pathankot road here on Saturday. They alleged that the state government was trying to suppress public voices by not allowing them to hold a protest in a peaceful manner. The union had announced a sit-in outside the Punjab CM’s residence to demand the release of activist Bhana Sidhu arrested by the police.

The union had earlier announced that the union members would gherao the Chief Minister’s residence in Sangrur. However, as the police arrested various leaders of the union to thwart the move, the union announced that they would not let the staff at various toll plazas charge fee from commuters.

Leaders of the union stated that earlier leaders of the ruling party used to criticise the farmers for protesting on roads reasoning that it causes inconvenience to public.

Palwinder Singh Mahal, a union leader, said, “Now the call was given to sit outside the CM’s residence. But the state government used unfair means to stop people from reaching the place.” He said the leaders of the ruling party often try to downplay every issue, but have failed to resolve any problem being faced by the public.

Initially, the protesters blocked the road traffic in protest, causing a huge inconvenience to commuters. However, soon they restricted the protest to just ensure that no commuters is charged fee at the toll. Commuters, however, were relieved as they passed the toll plaza without paying fee. The protest continued till 4 pm after which the protesters returned to their homes.

Farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Kohli said the union leadership had decided to end the protest at toll plazas after the police released their general secretary Kaka Singh from custody. Kohli said the state government must not try to deprive the residents of their right to a peaceful protest if they want their voices to be heard.