Farmers’ union threatens stir over alleged police harassment

Office-bearers and activists of the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Service Societies Employees’ Union threatened to launch a stir on Monday, stating that their secretary Kulwinder Singh Bhudan was harassed by the local police on Friday.

Activists of various organizations led by Abdul Satar (CITU), Kewal Bhari (BKU Ugrahan), Rupinder Chaundan (Kirti Kissan Union) Maan Singh Saddopur (Kirti Kissan Union) and Sukhwinder Singh Choongan (Nehri Patwar Union) extended their support to any agitation which would be launched in favour of Bhudan.

While denying the charge of harassment, Malerkotla SSP Gagan Ajit Singh said the needful would be done after conducting a fair probe into the matter.

Based on a memorandum submitted to the SSP, a delegation led by Abdul Satar urged the district police to take action against the cops who had allegedly picked up Bhudan from his residence on Friday night and beat him up.

They further stated that the police thrashed Bhudan as he had taken part in several protests related to the supply of diesel and fertilisers. However, SHO Surinder Bhalla, Malerkotla City 1 Police Station, said, “The complainant neither took part in any protest against our department nor does his residence fall under our jurisdiction.”

The activists of various unions eventually decided to launch a stir if they did not receive justice by Tuesday evening.