Protesters Burn Effigies of Prime

Hoshiarpur / Daljeet Ajnoha /May 16 :  On the call of the United Kisan Morcha, farmers and protest supporters staged a demonstration today in Mahilpur-Chabewal area, burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to condemn what they called central government “authoritarian” actions against Punjab.
The protesters said that yesterday, when delegations marched peacefully to Chandigarh to submit a memorandum demanding protection of Punjab’s rights, stoppage of alleged encroachments on state powers, safeguarding Bhakra-Beas Management Board and Punjab’s water rights, and protection for Punjab University, the Chandigarh administration and police used force without provocation. According to the organisers, police beat demonstrators with lathis, fired tear‑gas shells and used water cannons, leaving several farmers seriously injured. The organisers also alleged that during scuffles many protesters were pushed, some turbans were reportedly torn off and removed, and several people were detained and later released.
Today’s solidarity protest in the Mahilpur‑Chabewal area was led by senior farmer leaders including Raja Sarvdayal Singh (Mahilpur), Talvinder Singh Heer (Nangal Khiladian), district publicity secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) Ugrahan, and former sarpanch Iqbal Singh Pali. Local participants named by organisers included Krishan Billa, Jujhar Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Kulvir Singh and Jasveer Singh, among others.
The demonstrators strongly condemned what they described as the Punjab‑hostile policies of successive central governments and vowed to intensify resistance, saying they would resolutely oppose any future moves they see as harming Punjab’s interests.