Amritsar: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Tuesday slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and said that around 35 senior farmer leaders have been detained or put under house arrest by Punjab government added this is the third time in a row he targeted the movement.
The reaction came after protesting farmers claimed that CM Bhagwant Mann had got “angry” and “provoked” them during a meeting with him in Chandigarh.
Speaking with the media Sarwan Singh Pandher said that since last night, senior leaders of nearly 35 unions of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Punjab were either taken into custody or put under house arrest.
“This is the third time in a row that Bhagwant Mann has targeted our movement. He (Bhagwant Mann) is the reason Punjab is in this situation.”
CM Mann held the meeting on Monday to persuade farmers who had been sitting on a protest at the Khanauri border in the Sangrur district of the State to call off their protest on March 5.
Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal described Chief Minister Mann as unusually angry, noting that he had never witnessed such an outburst, even in high-level negotiations.
“The meeting was going on well, and we were coming to agreements on several issues. After we came to an agreement on the eighth issue, the CM said he wanted to leave, owing to a doctor’s appointment. Then, he asked about our plans for March 5. He said we are holding talks; why do you still want to proceed with the protest? He became very angry and left the meeting saying ‘do whatever you want to do’… I have had negotiations at the Prime Minister level but have never seen a leader so angry. We will come to Chandigarh (on 5 March),” he said.
Earlier today, CM Mann said that he cancelled the meeting because the farmers wanted to continue their protest amid the talks.
The Chief Minister further expressed his concerns about the frequent protests and blockades by farmers in the state, saying that these protests, such as “rail roko” and “sadak roko,” are causing significant economic losses to the state.