PM Modi security breach in Punjab: Arrest warrants against 25 farmers

The FIR named 26 individuals, including Baldev Singh Zira, general secretary of BKU Krantikari, along with other union members and leaders of the Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union. However, no arrests were made until now. One of the accused, Major Singh, has since passed away, leaving 25 individuals facing arrest.

According to arrest warrants issued by a Ferozepur court on January 3, 2025, the accused had failed to appear in court despite multiple summons and warrants. The station house officer of Kulgarhi police station has been directed to arrest and produce them in court by January 22.

When contacted, The Indian Express contacted Randhir Kumar, Superintendent of Police (Investigation), stated, “Investigation in the case is ongoing.” Ferozepur Police confirmed the issuance of arrest warrants. Sources revealed that raids are being conducted to apprehend the individuals.

Surjeet Singh Phul, president of BKU Krantikari, told The Indian Express that one of the accused, Kamaljeet Singh (37) from Piareana, had applied for anticipatory bail, but the plea was rejected by district sessions judge Varinder Aggarwal on January 14. “Punjab Police has been sending arrest warrants to the accused and visiting their homes, pressuring family members to join the investigation. This is being done at the behest of the central government to target protesting farmers,” Phul alleged.

He further stated, “We are warning the government not to target farmers. The attempt-to-murder charges are baseless, as no confrontation occurred on the flyover. We were peacefully protesting against the PM’s visit as per the call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). The FIR and subsequent action are a result of central government pressure to intimidate union leaders.”

Phul also referred to an earlier incident in November. “Earlier, Punjab Police forcibly picked up Jagjit Singh Dallewal from the Khanauri border during the night of November 25-26, ahead of his planned hunger strike; he was later released on November 29. At that time, they attempted to sabotage our hunger strike program. We have warned the Punjab government not to follow in the footsteps of the central government.”

The farmers who have been issued warrants include Kamaljeet Singh, Baldev Singh Zira, Lakhwinder Singh, Avtar Singh, Gian Singh, and several others.

Phul commented, “By conducting raids, the police aim to force farmers into hiding, who are otherwise engaged in protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.”

On January 5, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was en route to Hussainiwala to pay tribute to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Subsequently, he was scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a satellite center of PGI Ferozepur near the Piareana flyover. However, protesters, primarily from the Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari) and Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union, blocked the flyover, causing the Prime Minister’s convoy to return to Bathinda airport. As a result, he returned to Delhi without attending any events. Notably, it was a rainy day in Punjab, and attendance at the Prime Minister’s rally was minimal. Due to adverse weather conditions, the Prime Minister chose to travel by road from Bathinda airport instead of by helicopter.