Farmers burn effigies of CM, minister over illegal mining

A large number of farmers under the banner of ‘Bundh Bachao Morcha’, and protesting against the frequent mining from the mand area of the Sutlej near Sabhra village, burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Cabinet minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Sunday at the dhussi bundh in Sabhra village. The farmers gathered at Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Sabhra, under the leadership of Balkar Singh, Paramjit Singh and Gurwinder Singh.

Sukhwinder Singh Sabhra, state president of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharash Committee, while addressing the protesters condemned the armed men of the mining contractors and the police for allegedly torturing the protesting farmers at Sabhra village a few days back and demanded that a criminal case be registered against the armed men of the contractors and the policemen.

He also demanded closure of the mining site in the mand area. The state leader warned that in case those involved were not booked, then the farmers would organise a protest before the office of the DSP, Patti, on May 20. Besides, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharash Committee will organise a protest in front of the District Administration Complex for an indefinite period from May 21. Other farm leaders too addressed the gathering on the occasion.

Amritsar