PM Modi security breach case: Punjab farmers to intensify stir ahead of February 14 arrest summons

“On February 11, thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana will protest in Ferozepur. We will organise a Kisan Mahapanchayat on that day seeking to quash attempt-to-murder charges. If the police will not drop Section 307 from the FIR, we will further intensify the struggle in the coming days,” Sukhwinder Kaur, general secretary, BKU Krantikari said.

“The Punjab government is harassing farmers at the behest of the Centre,” alleged Baldev Singh Zira, state general secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Union Krantikari (Phul).

The district court has ordered the Ferozepur police to arrest all the ‘accused’ in PM Modi security breach case on February 14.

Meanwhile, the Centre would hold talks with farmers of Punjab and Haryana, who have been on a year-long protest raising various demands, including Minimum Support Price (MSP) as a legal guarantee, on the same day in Chandigarh.

On January 5, 2022, farmers blocked the Piareana Flyover in the Ferozepur district when PM Modi was on his way to the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala. Due to the blockade, his convoy was stranded for about 20 minutes at the flyover before turning back. It was PM Modi’s first visit to Punjab after the three controversial farm laws were repealed.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered the next day levelling charges of danger, obstruction, and causing injury among others against unknown persons. However, BJP leaders raised objections over the “weak FIR”, and later the Punjab Government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team to probe the matter. After the SIT submitted its report, the police added Indian Penal Code sections 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (assault or criminal force to a public servant), 341 (wrongful restraint), 186 (obstruction of a public servant from performing duties), and 149 (unlawful assembly), and Section 8-B of National Highway Act to the FIR in December 2022.

The farmers said they were unaware of these charges until January 2025 when Kamaljeet Singh alias Kamal, one of the accused, applied for anticipatory bail after receiving a court summons dated January 3, 2025. The court had directed the Ferozepur police to arrest the accused and present him before it on January 22. The court rejected his bail.

Similar summons were issued to 24 other farmers as well.

However, no arrests were made by the police following the strong protests by farmer unions over the summons, said Sukhwinder Kaur told The Indian Express.

“Many union leaders have been named in the FIR. The attempt-to-murder charges are baseless. Farmers had only blocked the highway and never went near the PM’s convoy. In fact, BJP supporters were the ones who approached the convoy,” said Surjeet Singh Phul, Chairman, BKU Krantikari.

The Ferozepur police have refused to comment on the issue and stated that an investigation into the case was underway.

List of farmers and Union leaders named in the FIR

The 25 accused, include union leaders and local farmer representatives from various organisations:

Baldev Singh Zira, president, BKU Krantikari

Sukhbir Singh Kang, former district secretary, BKU Krantikari

Gurpreet Singh, district president, BKU Krantikari, Ferozepur

Charanjit Singh, block president, BKU Krantikari, Makhu

Jagraj Singh, district secretary, BKU Krantikari

Jagtar Singh Bhangar, press secretary, BKU Krantikari, Ferozepur

Balraj Singh, Leader, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee

Gurbachan Singh, former district president, BKU Krantikari, Ferozepur

Baljinder Singh alias Dilbag Singh, state vice-president, Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union

Sandeep Singh, state committee member, Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union

Jagmeet Singh alias Jagga Singh, block president, Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union

Bohar Singh, block president, BKU Krantikari, Mallanwala

Paramjit Singh, state committee member, Lok Sangram Morcha

Gyan Singh, block president, Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union

Major Singh, former block president, BKU Krantikari

Kulwant Singh, former block president, BKU Krantikari, Ghalan

Ranjit Singh, block secretary, BKU Krantikari

Shameer Singh, labour leader

Jagga Singh Shah Wala, farmer

Kamaljeet Singh alias Kamal, farmer

Balbir Singh, farmer

Nirmal Singh, farmer

Lakhwinder Singh Sukhjinder, farmer

Avtar Singh, district vice-president, BKU Krantikari

Sukhdev Singh, farmer