200 protesters booked, were seeking land rights

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 1

The police have booked around 200 persons, including 15 members of the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee (ZPSC), for protesting in the city today. 

Members of the Dalit community protested under a banner of the ZPSC against the state government over non-fulfillment of their demands. The ZPSC held the protest for the Dalit community, which has been fighting for their rights over the panchayat’s land. The agitators claimed that they have been facing a boycott from the society and they were being assaulted by the villagers.

Hundreds of agitators had gathered at Patiala grain market and moved towards the Chief Minister’s residence. However, they were stopped by the policemen near Lehal Chowk. 

The protesters have been booked under Sections 283 and 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for violating Section 144 of the CrPC imposed by the District Magistrate (DM).

Patiala Senior superintendent of Police (SSP) Mandeep Singh Sidhu said a case has been registered against the protesters at Lahori Gate police station. He said, “Despite orders, they held a protest in the city and caused inconvenience to the public.”

‘Peaceful protest our right’

Reacting to the registration of FIR, Mukesh Maloud, president, ZPSC, said the Indian Constitution has given them a democratic right to hold a peaceful protest. “Registering an FIR against the protesters is an unconstitutional step taken by the administration and police. They want to suppress the voice of the marginalised.”

Gurmukh Singh, member, ZPSC, said, “This gimmick cannot scuttle our fight for the rights of the Dalit community. In the past, cases were registered cases against us. We will keep fighting for our rights.”