Patiala, March 24 — Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders on Monday extended their support to farmers allegedly assaulted by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers in Halka Ghanaur for exposing the theft of trolleys at the Khanauri Morcha.
Senior SAD leader Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna and Youth Akali Dal (YAD) President Sarabjit Singh Jhinjer visited the injured farmers at Patiala’s Rajindra Hospital and pledged to fight for justice.
“Yesterday, three farmers from Village Khandoli—Jatinder Singh, Ajit Singh, and Sukhmandeep Singh—caught AAP Sarpanch Dimple and his associates stealing six trolleys from the Khanauri Morcha,” Jhinjer told reporters. “When they confronted the Sarpanch and informed the Farmers’ Union, Dimple, backed by Ghanaur MLA Gurlal Singh, brought 12-15 goons and brutally attacked them. They even tore the ‘Kes’ (hair) and beard of these Gursikh farmers, inflicting deep physical and psychological wounds,” he said.
Jhinjer claimed the police were shielding the attackers instead of protecting the victims. “Rather than arresting the culprits, the police—under MLA Gurlal’s influence—are filing false cases against the victims to harass them. SAD stands firmly with these farmers and will not tolerate this injustice,” he said.
Criticizing the Patiala Police, Jhinjer accused them of repeated misconduct. “First, they shamed the force by beating a serving Army Colonel and covering it up. Now, they are suppressing this case under AAP pressure. We won’t let that happen. If needed, we will organize protests and open a front until these farmers get justice,” he asserted.
Jhinjer also accused AAP of betraying Punjab’s farmers. “CM Bhagwant Mann first backstabbed farmers by calling them for a meeting only to have them arrested. Now, his MLAs and party workers are looting trolleys and other valuables from the Morcha. I had warned that MLA Gurlal instructed AAP Sarpanches in Ghanaur to destabilize the protest and seize trolleys. This is yet another betrayal of Punjab’s farmers,” he said.
YAD District Patiala Urban President Karanvir Singh Sahni and Patiala Rural President Amarpreet Singh Lang also accompanied the leaders during the hospital visit.
