Lakha stays on stage for hour in Bathinda, police look on

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, February 23

Challenging security agencies, R-Day violence wanted accused Lakha Sidhana, who has been on the run since January 26, today addressed a rally at Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s native Mehraj village in Bathinda and gave a call to intensify the agitation.

Lakha Sidhana had been on the stage for around one hour, but no attempt was made by the police to arrest him. The Delhi Police have announced Rs 1 lakh reward for giving his information.

Daring the police to come and arrest any Punjabi youth booked in the R-Day violence case, Sidhana appealed to people to gherao them if police personnel come to arrest anyone in their village or city. If the Punjab Police accompany them, then Capt Amarinder would be responsible about it.

“The huge gathering at Mehraj is a message for Delhi. Register cases against us, arrest us and beat us up, but we will win this fight,” he added.

Lakha also claimed, “We will not accept the suspension of laws for three or four years as public movements will not be built again. We will win and come back only after repealing the laws.”

Taking a dig at BKU leader Balbir Singh Rajewal, Lakha said, “When the media ask question to him about Deep Sidhu and Lakha Sidhana, he says no comment, he doesn’t stand by us. But we will not allow any police team to arrest any farmer leader.” He said traders, commission agents and everyone should participate as these laws would hit each and everyone hard.

Lakha also clarified that he was not holding any separate programme, he stood by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha. He appealed to them to plan a bigger agitation.

After addressing the gathering, Lakha ran away on the motorcycle from the spot.

Thousands of people started reaching the venue to hear Lakha Sidhana. Youngsters were seen wearing t-shirt with photos of Sidhana and Deep Sidhu.

AAP MLA from Kotkapura Kultar Singh was also attended the rally, but did not address it.