COPS ‘USE FORCE’ ON PROTESTING FARMERS IN BATHINDA, 1 HURT

BATHINDA: A farmer was injured when police used force on protesters who were trying to stop dairy owners from supplying milk to urban areas near Jodhpur Romana village on the Bathinda-dabwali road on Saturday.

Police also arrested four farmers, including district president of BKU (Ekta-sidhupur) Baldev Singh Sandoha. The injured farmer has been identified as Harbans Singh.

Several farmers’ organisations have jointly called a 10-day protest across the country demanding remunerative prices for their produce, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and farm loan waivers, among others.

Angered by the police action, farmers held a protest in front of the Sadar police station demanding immediate release of their leaders and action against a cop who allegedly hit Harbans with a baton.

Union’s state chief Jagjeet Singh Dallewal said police used force on farmers during a peaceful protest.

They were just convincing dairy owners not to supply milk in urban areas, he said.

Bathinda senior superintendent of police Navin Singla denied that the farmer was injured in the police action.

“He received injuries in a scuffle between protesters and milk suppliers. Four union leaders who were taken in preventive custody were later released on bail,” said the SSP.