Bathinda Farmers Police Clash, Bathinda Paddy Procurement Clash, Bathinda Farmers Protest Clash: Amid the delay in paddy procurement, protesting farmers and the Police clashed in Raike Kalan village of Bathinda district of Punjab on Monday evening. The farmers had taken the tehsildar and the procurement inspector hostage. When the police arrived after the information, stones were pelted at them, and finally lathicharge took place. As per reports, the police have registered two cases against the leaders of the Bharatiya Kisan Union.
As per reports, the administration had refused to buy the paddy of the farmers without checking the moisture. Following this, the anger of the farmers flared up. Around 3:30 pm, about 20-25 workers of the Bharatiya Kisan Union gathered at the Mandi located in Raike Kalan village. After the debate of both the sides, the present tehsildar and procurement inspector were taken hostage following which the police had to come to the spot.
The enraged farmers kept the tehsildar and the procurement inspector hostage for several hours. Slogans were raised against the Punjab government. The situation became more serious when the police had to intervene. The police reached the Mandi at 5:30 pm. At first, an attempt was made to convince the farmer leaders. But some furious farmer leaders started pushing and pelting stones. After which lathicharge was done to calm the matter.
The police administration stated that legal action is being taken in the matter. On the other hand, farmers say that their crops are not being purchased in the name of moisture test of paddy, due to which their financial condition is getting affected. The farmers have demanded that the government purchase paddy transparently and complete the purchase process quickly even without a moisture test. They allege that there is a delay in purchase in the name of moisture test, due to which their crop may get spoiled.
Reacting to the lathi-charge on farmers, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal took to her X handle and condemned it. Badal wrote, "(Translated version) I strongly condemn the lathi charge on farmers in Raike Kalan village of Bathinda over the purchase of paddy. This is the first time that farmers who went to sell their crops in the market have been lathi-charged. The crops of the farmers are not being sold, and they are being deducted for their crops. Instead of solving the problems of the farmers, the useless government of Punjab is getting them lathi-charged. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, shame on you."
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher also opposed this incident. He has accused the state government that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also joined hands with the central government and wants to get big houses to capture the farmers' markets.