Do farmers look like terrorists, asks Amarinder

CHANDIGARH: Condemning National Investigation Agency (NIA) notices to several farmers in the midst of the anti-farm laws agitation, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday said that such armtwisting tactics would not weaken the resolve of the farmers to fight for their rights.

“Do these farmers look like secessionists and terrorists?” asked the CM, slamming the BJP-led government at the Centre for resorting to oppressive tactics to undermine the peacefully protesting farmers’ fighting spirit. But these measures will not succeed in destroying the farmers’ resolve, rather the Centre will only end up provoking them into a stronger reaction, he said, questioning the intent of the Centre, issuing a warning that BJP’s will not be able to control the situation if things gets out of hand.

Instead of resolving the crisis triggered by the legislations, the BJP-led central government was resorting to victimisation of the protesting farmers, the CM pointed out, adding that it would lead to further hardening of the farmers’ stance. “It was obvious that the NDA government neither cared for the farmers and their concerns, nor understood their psyche. Punjabis are fighters by nature, they are imbued

The NDA govt neither cares for the farmers and their concerns, nor understands their psyche.

AMARINDER SINGH, Punjab chief minister

with the fighting spirit which makes them among the best warriors in the world,” he said, adding that the Centre’s coercive actions will provoke the farmers.

He expressed shock over the Centre’s unrelenting opposition to the farmers’ demands and its failure to empathise with the cause of their braving the record cold, with many succumbing to the harsh weather and prolonged exposure. Not only had the Centre been adamant on its refusal to repeal the laws, it was indulging in strong-arm tactics to suppress the farmers, he said.