Bathinda, Feb 18: A demonstration organized by the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) turned violent on Wednesday at Jeond village as farmers attempted to march toward the District Administrative Complex in Bathinda. The confrontation resulted in the police deploying tear gas shells after protesters allegedly pelted security forces with stones and bricks from residential rooftops.
The union launched the protest to demand the immediate release of two activists, Shagandeep Singh Jeond and Baldev Singh Chauke, who have been in judicial custody since April of last year. Bathinda SSP Jyoti Yadav, stationed at the site of the clash, stated that authorities used mild force to disperse the gathered crowd. “The mob had gathered on the roofs of some residences and pelted the police team with stones,” the SSP maintained.
The two detained activists were originally arrested following a violent dispute during land demarcation proceedings in early 2023. While the farmers asserted that their grievances also involve the reinstatement of teachers at a local school, they are currently seeking the withdrawal of multiple FIRs registered against thousands of protesters. A bail hearing for the two men was scheduled before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday.
Despite significant police blockades established on major routes into the city since Tuesday night, a small group of farmers from the Jaito block managed to reach the administrative complex before being detained. Shingara Singh Mann, the district president of the union, affirmed that the organization intended to proceed with its scheduled agitation regardless of the heavy security presence.
The police maintained a strict vigil across the district, reportedly placing several union members under house arrest to prevent further gatherings. This latest escalation follows a similar confrontation on February 6, after which the union had issued an ultimatum to the government regarding the legal cases against its members.
