Ferozepur: The security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ferozepur on January 5, 2022 is once again in the headlines. The court has issued arrest warrants against 25 members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari) and the Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union of Ferozepur district. In fact, in the 3-year-old case, the police have now also added sections 307, 353, 341, 186, 149 of the IPC and section 8-B of the National Highway Act.
The Prime Minister was to address a rally in Ferozepur that day and visit Hussainiwala to pay tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. Earlier he was to go by helicopter, but suddenly his route was changed and he was taken by road. But due to the protesters blocking the way on the Piyarana flyover, he had to cancel the program and return to Delhi.
FIR and investigation sequence of events
On January 6, 2022, an FIR was registered in the case under IPC section 283 (obstructing public way), which is a bailable offence. However, a three-member SIT was formed after BJP leaders objected to the weak FIR.
Based on the investigation, more serious sections have now been added to the FIR, including sections 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (assault on public servant), 341 (wrongful restraint), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of duty), 149 (unlawful assembly) and section 8-B of the National Highways Act.
The FIR names 26 people, including BKU Krantikari general secretary Baldev Singh Zira and other farmer leaders and members. One of the accused, Major Singh, has died, while action against the remaining 25 has been intensified.
Court issued arrest warrants
On January 3, 2025, the Ferozepur court issued arrest warrants against these 25 farmers. The accused were earlier also sent summons and warrants to appear in court, but due to absence, now the police have been instructed to arrest and present them by January 22.
Surjit Singh Phool, President of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari), accused the Punjab government of working under central pressure. He said that the police are raiding the houses of farmers to arrest them.
While talking to the media, Phool said that we warn the government not to target the farmers. Our protests were peaceful and allegations like attempt to murder are completely baseless. This is only a conspiracy to intimidate the farmers and their leaders.
Phool also alleged that in November also the Punjab Police forcibly picked up farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal from Khanauri border, but he was later released. He said that the central government is constantly trying to weaken the farmers’ movement.
Know what happened on 5 January 2022
Prime Minister Modi could not go by helicopter due to rain and he had to go to Ferozepur by road from Bathinda. But farmer protesters blocked the road. Due to this, the Prime Minister’s convoy was stuck for about 20-25 minutes and he had to return.
Ferozepur Police has confirmed the issuance of arrest warrant and has intensified raids to arrest the accused. At the same time, farmer organizations are calling this action taken under pressure by the central government.