Raids at residences of farmer leaders, pre-emptive detentions: Punjab Police in hunt mode ahead of PM rallies

In Gurdaspur, state level leaders of the Kirti Kisan Union such as Jatinder Singh China and Satbitr Singh Multani were detained along with Kulwinder Singh Machian and Paramjit Singh of the Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Sidhpur), Jasbir Singh Bara Pind of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Doaba) and Amrik Singh of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Qadian).

While some were released with conditions not to enter Jalandhar, others were placed under house arrest. The police operation targeted leaders affiliated with the SKM (non-political) too. Raids were held at their residences across various areas, including Jalandhar, Nurmahal, Phillaur and Phagwara.

Although some leaders, such as Manjit Singh Rai, Satnam Singh Sahni and Palla Mauli, were initially detained, they were later released after being asked not to march towards Jalandhar.

Rai, the president of BKU (Doaba), recounted being tracked down by the police using his mobile number and subsequently being held near the Mehtiana village.

Meanwhile, a procession of farmers, including leaders from the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, who were heading towards Jalandhar after returning from some other protest, was detained at Nakodar.

In anticipation of police action, several leaders of the Pendu Mazdoor union had already left their homes early or turned off their mobile phones to evade arrest. Despite stringent security measures, the protestors were determined to continue their demonstration. Manjit Singh Rai affirmed their resolve, stating their intention to gather at Phagwara Dana Mandi and proceed with the march.