Thought PM Modi going to Ferozepur via road was bluff: Farmer leader Surjit Singh Phool

Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, January 6

The protesting farmers who allegedly blocked the way of PM’s convoy in Punjab yesterday claimed they didn’t initially know that the PM was travelling by road from Bathinda to the rally venue.

Also read: Protesting farmers had no clue of Modi's convoy travelling by road from Bathinda to Ferozepur: Samyukt Kisan Morcha

Avoided Bargari repeat

Had the police used force on protesters, it would have led to a Bargari-like incident. Won’t let that happen. — Charanjit Channi, CM

Why the scare?

Why is the BJP so scared if PM Modi had to stop for 15 min in Punjab? Farmers sat on Delhi borders for over a year. — Navjot Sidhu, PCC Chief

Talking to The Tribune, BKU (Krantikari) chief Surjit Singh Phool said they had started assembling at Ferozshah grain market since 9 am yesterday as per a pre-planned programme to march towards the DC office to burn an effigy of the PM against non-fulfilment of their demands.

“Around 11 am, when a group of around 700 farmers reached near Piareana village, the police stopped them, after which they sat in the middle of the road, unmindful of the fact the PM was to pass through that road in some time,” Phool said.

Later, the Ferozepur SSP came there and asked farmers to vacate the road saying the PM’s convoy was to pass from there. The farmers took it as a “bluff” and an attempt by the police to remove them from there to clear the way for the buses carrying BJP workers to go to the rally venue.

Meanwhile, several vehicles, including those carrying BJP workers, got stuck on the road up to the flyover where the PM’s cavalcade was stranded, triggering a huge outrage about the breach of his security.

Sources said it was ironical that despite the road blockade for two hours, the PM`s convoy was allowed to start journey from Bathinda by road. “It was undoubtedly a huge risk to PM’s security. He remained stuck on the flyover for 15-20 minutes, making him vulnerable to any kind of mischief,” said an official, pleading anonymity. Police officials remained tight-lipped on the issue.