Farmers: Book MLA for abetting suicide

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, February 13

Hundreds of farmers belonging to the Kisan Majdoor Sangharsh Union (KMSU) today blocked railway traffic near Basti Tankan Wali level crossing following which eight trains on the Ferozepur-Ludhiana and Ferozepur-Bathinda sections were affected.

They were demanding the arrest of the accused responsible for the death of Jatinder Singh (25), a farmer belonging to Kachharbhann village in Zira. Jatinder had allegedly committed suicide after some persons owing allegiance to the ruling party attempted to usurp his land.

The protest started at 1:30 pm and continued till 5:30 pm due to which thousands of commuters had to face inconvenience. The farmers have been protesting for the last two days in front of the District Administrative Complex (DAC). Satnam Singh Pannu, president, and Swaran Singh Pandher, secretary, KMSU, said for the past two days, no senior official from the administration bothered to listen to their issues so they decided to intensify the protest and block the railway track.

Pannu demanded action against Congress MLA Kulbir Singh and his father Inderjit Singh whom he alleged were responsible for the farmer’s suicide. The dharna was lifted after Baljit Singh, SP, and Amit Gupta, SDM, assured the farmers that a meeting with would be fixed with the CM on February 28.