Cops block farmers, prevent Shambhu sit-in; Dallewal accuses CM Bhagwant Mann of turning Punjab Into A ‘Garrison'
Bathinda: The Punjab Police intensified its crackdown on protesting farmers associated with farm forums Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, preventing them from reaching Shambhu for a sit-in outside the local police station by making detentions and putting senior leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, under house arrest.The action comes following a warning by chief minister Bhagwant Mann against any road or rail blockades or protests causing public inconvenience.Roads leading to Shambhu were heavily barricaded, with even loaded tippers being strategically placed to block the movement of protesting convoys.The crackdown extended beyond Punjab's borders. In Haryana, including Ambala, protesters primarily associated with BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) were prevented from reaching Shambhu. They were stopped at Gurdwara Manji Sahib, with Haryana-based farmer leader Tejveer Singh alleging that "Punjab Police reached the gurdwara in plainclothes and studied their movements".In Punjab's Moga district, at Ajitwal town, activists of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee were also intercepted, with farm leaders stating that some were even taken into custody.The farm forums had planned the demonstration to protest the police's recent actions, including the arrest of farmer leaders on March 19 after a meeting with central and state ministers, subsequent demolition of protest sites, and the alleged assault on farmer leader Balwant Singh Behramke on March 20. The farmers had also expressed outrage over the disappearance of their belongings, including tractor trailers, from the protest sites.Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, angered by the arrests and house arrests, released a video message on Tuesday morning strongly condemning the govt's actions. He stated that the farm forums merely intended to voice their concerns regarding the police actions of March 19-20.He accused the Mann-led government of transforming Punjab into a "garrison" and launching a widespread crackdown on farmers. He said that many leaders detained on Monday, including Kaka Singh Kotda, had been sent to jail. Dallewal cautioned Mann that such state repression could incite further protests.He asserted that protests cannot be suppressed through coercion, emphasising that increased repression would only lead to greater resistance and that the rising voices of dissent would not tolerate authoritarianism. He questioned the "double standards" of the CM and his party leaders, who themselves have participated in protests in Delhi and Punjab, yet seem unwilling to concede to the farmers' right to protest.BOXThreat to block rail trafficKisan Mazdoor Morcha, expressing anger over the acquisition of farmlands for road projects against the farmers' wishes, announced plans to block rail traffic at Devidaspura near Amritsar starting Wednesday. "We will continue protests and will sit wherever we are stopped and will mobilise people against such high-handedness from the state govt led by a political party which claims to have originated from the protests and struggles," declared farm leaders, adding that numerous activists from the BKU (Ekta Azad) organisation have been detained in Mangwal village near Sangrur.MSID:: 120924755 413 |
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Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Jagan slams CM Naidu over 'restrictions' during Rentapalla visit
Amaravati, YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday questioned Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on why the TDP-led NDA government allegedly imposed restrictions on his recent visit to Rentapalla to ensure that "people would not turn up." Jagan slams CM Naidu over 'restrictions' during Rentapalla visit On June 18, Reddy visited Rentapalla village in Palnadu district to call on the family members of a party leader who had died by suicide a year ago due to alleged "harassment by TDP leaders and police." Though police gave permission for a limited number of vehicles and only about 100 people for this visit, many vehicles joined Reddy's convoy, and thousands of people swarmed all along the way from Tadepalli to Rentapalla. Further, a YSRCP supporter, C Singayya, allegedly fell under a vehicle and died in that melee at Etuku Cross. Guntur district superintendent of police S Satish initially said that Singayya fell under a private vehicle, but not under Reddy's convoy. However, on Sunday night, he said that Singayya was actually "run over" by the vehicle being used by Reddy, leading to the registration of a police case against Reddy and others. Amidst this backdrop, the former CM questioned if the erstwhile YSRCP government had imposed such restrictions during the visits of Naidu and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan between 2019 and 2024. 'Chandrababu, why did you impose restrictions on my tour to ensure that nobody would turn up? Did we impose these kinds of restrictions when you and Pawan Kalyan were touring?' Reddy asked in a post on 'X'. Reddy questioned why opposition leaders like him are allegedly being stopped from visiting their party workers and expressing solidarity with farmers and citizens. Though he "followed all the rules" and gave prior information about his visit to the authorities, Reddy alleged that the state failed to provide the necessary security arrangements. Reddy emphasised that Z security for a former chief minister is not a favour but a protocol-based right, adding that just as it applied to Naidu in the past, it should apply to anyone in the future. "Why were there no pilot vehicles or rope parties deployed during my visit, which are part of the standard Z security protocol?" asked the YSRCP chief. If the security arrangements were in place, Reddy questioned, "How could anyone have come under his vehicle," and demanded clarity. "Did the government fail to provide security, or is the claim that someone was run over false?" he asked. Alleging that the government did not provide a bulletproof vehicle, which is mandatory under protocol, Reddy said he arranged one for himself at his own expense. Further, the opposition leader referred to Guntur SP's initial statement on Singayya's incident and demanded to know "why the narrative was later changed and politicised." He accused the ruling coalition of using this tragic incident as a distraction from their governance failures. Observing that he had only held a press conference to expose the alleged "unfulfilled promises, corruption, and financial damage done by the current regime," Reddy alleged that the NDA alliance government has launched diversionary tactics instead of responding with accountability. On learning about Singayya's death, Reddy said he immediately instructed his party leaders to provide help, along with ₹ 10 lakh compensation to the victim's family. He reminded that another supporter had also died due to a heart attack during the same tour, and similar support was extended to that family as well. Reddy asserted that these actions show the value he places on his supporters and questioned Naidu's response in similar situations. He criticised the TDP for allegedly spreading lies and questioned their moral authority to speak about humanity and ethics. Moreover, Reddy called on Naidu to mend his ways, act with responsibility, and "stop using political power to suppress the opposition." Meanwhile, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha accused Reddy of continuing his tour even after two people had lost their lives. The police had informed YSRCP leaders that the road was only 10 feet wide and that security could be provided for only 100 people, including his convoy and three vehicles, she said. Despite intelligence reports suggesting that the YSRCP was mobilising cadres, police extended maximum security, keeping in mind Reddy's Z status, said the Home Minister. "No one who commits a crime in the state will escape the law under any circumstances," she added. She further alleged that Reddy's supporter in Rentapalla village had died a year ago due to gambling, questioning the need for his visit. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India Gazette
40 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Union Minister Hardeep Puri, Irish PM Martin, Canadian Minister Anandasangaree pay tribute to victims of Kanishka bombing
Cork [Ireland], June 23 (ANI): On the 40th anniversary of the Kanishka bombing, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, Irish Prime Minister, Micheal Martin, and Canadian Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, laid a wreath at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork in Ireland, to pay homage to the victims. On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 was blown up by the Canada-based Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa near Cork, resulting in the deaths of all 329 passengers on board. Speaking at the event, Micheal Martin said, 'Very honoured to be here in Ahakista this morning on this 40th anniversary of that terrible day in 1985 that saw the Air India flight cruelly and horrifically brought down off our coastline. It's always a privilege and honour to attend this sober commemoration and to witness the dignity, dedication and care with which you remember your loved ones who died so horrifically 40 years ago today.' He stated, '329 innocent people lost their lives over the skies of Ireland that morning, and the passing of time does not dim the scale of loss and this atrocity. We feel the enormity of your loss when we see the faces and read the stories on the memorial here, before us. Especially moving are these simple descriptions: student, child, so many young lives taken far too soon. While the scale of this horrific act is of global significance, we should never forget that it is an intensely personal tragedy. The loss and grief felt by you, the families and loved ones of the people who died that June morning in 1985 is deeply personal. One only needs to come here on any year and listen to you speak, witness you placing flowers into the sea or laying wreaths to understand how powerful that grief endures.' He also offered condolences to the people of India, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Canada over the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad. On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Martin said, 'I'm sure that this year those memories will have added poignancy as those events were echoed tragically with the horrific accident in Ahmedabad just over 10 days ago and I want to take this opportunity to again offer my sincere condolences and those of the of the people of Ireland, to the people of India, United Kingdom, Portugal and Canada and the families of all who perished in that crash. Most of us can only imagine the heartbreak suffered by the loved ones of those who died in that flight, but you here today, you know that suffering, and I know all of those people are in all our thoughts and prayers.' 'It is through sadness and grief that we are gathered here but what I do find heartening is what has emerged from this tragedy, what all of you have created from this dignity, love and remembrance and also a deepened connection between Canada, India and Ireland and especially the deep bond forged between the families of the victims of this atrocity and the local community here in a Harkista and Cork more generally,' he added. During the event, Mayor of the County of Cork, Councillor Joe Carroll, laid a wreath at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork. People in large numbers were present at the event to pay tribute to the victims of the Kanishka bombing. School students paid musical tribute to victims at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork. An Indian delegation arrived in Ireland to attend the 40th anniversary of the memorial of the Kanishka terror attack. The delegation led by Hardeep Singh Puri includes BJP MLA in Delhi Assembly, Arvinder Singh Lovely, Minister of State in the Uttar Pradesh government, Baldev Singh Aulakh, BJP MLA from Sadulshahar in Ganganagar, Rajasthan Assembly, Gurveer Singh Brar, BJP MLA from RS Pura in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Narinder Singh Raina, BJP MLA from Kashipur in the Uttarakhand Assembly, Trilok Singh Cheema- BJP MLA from Kashipur in Uttarakhand Assembly, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh and India's Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra. This event not only commemorates the 329 innocent victims of the 1985 terror attack but also reinforces the global commitment against terrorism. While heading to Cork, Hardeep Singh Puri in a post on X wrote, 'On the way from Heathrow to Cork... The dastardly mid-air bombing of Air India Kanishka Flight 182 in 1985, which claimed 329 innocent lives off the Irish Coast, remains one of the most inhuman acts of terror in aviation history. I was able to pay tribute to the victims at the Kanishka Memorial at Humber Bay Park in Toronto in September 2019 where I also met family members of several victims who had shared their pain and suffering.' 'On Monday, 23 June 2025, I will lead an Indian delegation comprising senior Punjab leader Sh @tarunchughbjp Ji, legislators from several states Sdr @ArvinderLovely Ji, Sdr @BaldevAulakh Ji, Sdr @GurveerBrar Ji and Sdr Trilok Singh Cheema Ji, to join the Irish Prime Minister HE @MichealMartinTD, Canadian Minister of Public Safety HE Gary Anandasangaree @gary_srp and others, to pay homage to the victims at an event at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork, Ireland, in a solemn moment of remembrance and unity, on the 40th anniversary of the reprehensible Kanishka Bombing,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
40 minutes ago
- India Gazette
'Call upon Canadian friends to deepen bilateral collaboration in countering terrorism, extremism', Union Minister Hardeep Singh
Cork [Ireland], June 23 (ANI): Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri paid tributes to the victims of the Kanishka bombing and gave a call to bring an end to terrorism and extremism. Calling Canada a valued partner and friend of India, he called upon them to deepen the bilateral collaboration in countering this. Puri made the remarks on Monday from the Ahakista Memorial in Cork, Ireland. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, paid homage to the victims of the Kanishka Bombing. On 23 June 1985, Air India Flight 182 was blown up by the Canada-based Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa near Cork, Ireland, resulting in the deaths of all 329 passengers on board. On the solemn event, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri remembered the victims with deep sorrow and heavy hearts, who passed away forty years ago. In his speech, he asked the world to come together not only in mourning but also in collective proactive efforts to counter terrorism. 'On behalf of India, I call upon the global community to remember our shared responsibility. I call upon our Canadian friends in particular to deepen our bilateral collaboration in countering this. Canada is a valued partner and a friend of India. We share vibrant cultural and economic relations with each other, and we are bound by democratic traditions, and those ideals require us to act together against all forms of extremism and terrorism. When separatist violence, and separatist voices find sanctuary, when extremist figures glorify violence-- they threaten not just the people whose lives they take away, they threaten societies at large.' He said that by working together, sharing intelligence, shutting off funding channels, countering radicalization, it can be ensured that those who continue to promote hate and terror cannot succeed. 'India stands ready to do more. Our security agencies, our intelligence operators, and our diplomatic channels remain committed to partnering with Canada and all other countries. Let us redouble our efforts to ensure that what happened on June 23, 1985 is never repeated, not here, not in India, not anywhere in the world.' Calling the air crash as one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in aviation history, Puri said that it has left scars that have not healed even after 40 years. In his remarks he underscored, 'Let this commemoration send a powerful, united message that those who chose the path of terror will never prevail over the enduring bonds of humanity, democracy, and friendship. Our nations have mourned together for 40 years, and we will continue to honour the memory of those who lost by striving for peace, security and justice. May the memories of all those who perished remain forever in our hearts'. An Indian delegation arrived in Ireland to attend the 40th anniversary of the memorial of the Kanishka terror attack. The delegation led by Hardeep Singh Puri includes BJP MLA in Delhi Assembly, Arvinder Singh Lovely, Minister of State in the Uttar Pradesh government, Baldev Singh Aulakh, BJP MLA from Sadulshahar in Ganganagar, Rajasthan Assembly, Gurveer Singh Brar, BJP MLA from RS Pura in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Narinder Singh Raina, BJP MLA from Kashipur in the Uttarakhand Assembly, Trilok Singh Cheema- BJP MLA from Kashipur in Uttarakhand Assembly, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh and India's Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra. This event not only commemorates the 329 innocent victims of the 1985 terror attack but also reinforces the global commitment against terrorism. (ANI)
