Stones pelted, drones deployed: Farmers' protest in Bathinda turns violent
What's the story
The Punjab Police resorted to tear gas shelling on Wednesday to stop members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) from marching toward the deputy commissioner's office in Bathinda. This was the second such action in 12 days, as protesters demanded the release of their two jailed senior leaders. The police action led to protests and a dharna near Jeond village, where several protesters were detained and others dispersed.
Protest impact
Farmers 1st block highway, later march toward city
The farmers first staged a sit-in on the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway, disrupting traffic, sources told IE. However, they later moved their dharna to an internal village road in Jeond amid heavy police presence. As they tried to march toward the city, police blocked their way and fired tear gas shells. Drones were also seen hovering over the area, though it was unclear if they were used for surveillance or dispersing tear gas shells.
Criticism voiced
Police attacked us, demolished villager's shed: Mann
Shingara Singh Mann, president of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) Bathinda district, slammed the police action as unprovoked and excessive. He alleged that the police attacked them while they were peacefully gathered in a village "dera" and even demolished a villager's shed. "One youngster was forcibly taken into custody from the dharna, and houses in adjoining villages were raided," he said. Mann claimed this was a violation of human rights as they awaited a legal decision on their leaders' bail.
Condemnation expressed
KMM accuses Punjab government of suppressing farmers' voices
Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), also condemned the police action and accused the Bhagwant Mann government of suppressing farmers' voices on Union Minister Amit Shah's orders. He alleged that the central government was trying to implement controversial policies like the draft electricity amendment bill and US-India trade deal decisions by crushing farmer movements in Punjab.
Leaders' release
Farmers demand release of 2 jailed leaders
The Wednesday protest was aimed at demanding the release of Baldev Singh Chauke and Sagandeep Singh Jeond, senior BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) leaders lodged in Bathinda jail since April 2025. The arrests are linked to a January 2025 incident in Jeond village over a land dispute between original landowners and tenant cultivators. Revenue officers had gone for land demarcation on court orders, which farmers opposed. The situation escalated after police intervention. Multiple FIRs, including attempt to murder, were later filed.