Punjab: Farmers union threatens agitation over alleged police harassment
Punjab: Officials and workers of the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Service Committee Employees Union on Monday threatened to launch an agitation, saying their secretary Kulwinder Singh Bhudan was harassed by the local police on Friday. Activists of various organisations, led by Abdul Sattar (CITU), Kewal Bhaari (BKU Ugrahan), Rupinder Choondan (Kirti Kisan Union), Man Singh Saddopur (Kirti Kisan Union) and Sukhwinder Singh Choongan (Nehri Patwar Union), extended their support to any agitation launched in favour of Bhudan.
Malerkotla SSP Gagan Ajit Singh denied the allegation of harassment and said necessary action would be taken after a fair probe into the matter. Based on a memorandum submitted to the SSP, a delegation led by Abdul Sattar urged the district police to take action against the policemen who allegedly picked up Bhudan from his residence on Friday night and assaulted him. He further said the police thrashed Bhudan because he had participated in several protests related to the supply of diesel and fertilisers. However, Surinder Bhalla, SHO of Malerkotla City 1 police station, said, “The complainant neither participated in any protest against our department nor does his residence fall under our jurisdiction.” The workers from various unions finally decided to launch an agitation if they did not get justice by Tuesday evening.
