Ahead of tomorrow’s protest call, a midnight crackdown on Punjab farmers’ leaders; Mann says be ready for ‘strict legal action’

“This is a midnight assault on democracy. Even now, I can barely walk, and yet they have confined me to my home. All we had announced was a one-day peaceful protest outside the Shambhu police station. People must now rise and speak out, or they will silence all our voices,” said Dallewal, visibly weak after a recent prolonged hunger strike.

The police action was not limited to Dallewal. Multiple leaders across Punjab were either detained or placed under house arrest in a sweeping move that has drawn sharp criticism from various farmer organisations.

While leaders like Baldev Singh Sirsa were also confined to their homes, others like Sukhjeet Singh Hardo Jhande, Kulwinder Singh Panjola, Hardev Singh Chitti, Gurpreet Singh Cheena, Shera Athwal, and Harvinder Singh Masaania were taken into custody and lodged at different police stations, including Batala, Ropar, Dorangla, and Sekhwan, said KMM leader Sukhdev Singh Bhojraj.

The arrests are being seen as a pre-emptive measure by the authorities fearing a large-scale gathering at Shambhu, where KMM and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) staged a 400-day dharna from February 13, 2024, to March 19, 2025, demanding, a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) among other things. That protest was forcibly cleared on March 19 when several top leaders were returning from talks with the Centre and the Punjab Government, and were arrested en route from Mohali.

Dallewal alleged, “During the March 19 crackdown at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, the police misbehaved with farmer leaders and displaced tractors, trolleys, and personal belongings. Some items were later recovered from the houses of influential people connected to the ruling government, including a police employee. We demanded action, but nothing was done. Instead, they’re now arresting us for demanding justice.”

Hours after the house arrests and detention of farm union leaders, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann issued a strong warning against protest calls given by farmer unions.

Posting on X in Punjabi at 10.6 am, CM Mann said: “Any announcements, protests, or strikes in Punjab that involve blocking roads or railways or cause inconvenience to the general public and disrupt daily life will be considered as acts against the public. All organisations, unions, and groups are advised to take note. There are other ways to express opposition — troubling the people is not right. Otherwise, be prepared for strict legal action. Issued in the interest of the hardworking people of Punjab.”

Sources said Mann was upset with the rail roko call by the farmers as the state is struggling with shortage of storage space in the absence of lifting of wheat. Punjab’s godowns are full, and the state has been pleading with the Centre to clear stocks of rice to make space for the wheat. The state has been alleging that the outward movement of grains is tardy.

After taking up the matter with the Centre, Punjab has now managed about 20 trains carrying grains every day.

During the last paddy procurement season, non-lifting of paddy became a huge issue in the state. The Centre cancelled various trains because of the protest by farmers, which affected the outward movement of grains through rakes.

In March this year, Mann took strong action against tehsildars for boycotting work, by ordering them to return to work immediately and threatening them with suspension.

On their part, KMM and SKM (Non-Political) said Mann’s statement is a direct reaction to their recent announcements of protests. Leaders from SKM (Non-Political) and KMM said the timing of the CM’s statement reflects the state government’s intent to suppress democratic dissent.

On May 3, farmer organisations gave a call to gherao the Shambhu Police Station on May 6, and the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee announced a rail roko protest at Devidaspura Railway Station on the main Amritsar-Delhi line beginning May 7, demanding justice and compensation related to various issues including forced land acquisition under the Bharatmala project.

KMSC coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher warned that the protest may spread to more stations from May 8 onwards, including Basti Tenkan Wali at Ferozepur, if the issue remains unresolved.

Farmer leaders have urged all like-minded organisations and the public to unite against what they termed the Punjab Government’s “diktat to silence dissent.”

“The government cannot suppress the voice of farmers through house arrests and police terror. This is the time to stand together,” said Sukhdev Singh Bhojraj of the KMM.