At least six police personnel were injured on Tuesday when farmers with allegiance to different farm bodies clashed with the police at Mansurwala village in Zira.
Sanjha Morcha, Zira, has been protesting in front of a distillery for over five months, demanding its closure due to alleged pollution of groundwater and air. They were traveling 45 km from Ferozepur to Mansurwala village when police stopped them and provided an alternate route.
Farmers forcibly removed the barricades, calling the move a diversionary tactic. At least six cops were injured in the ensuing clash. The Civil Hospital was rushed to treat them.
On a call from the Sanjha Morcha, which has been spearheading the protest, about 8,000 farmers from 39 farm unions arrived here.
They said they wanted to join the villagers’ movement and protest the arrest of around 48 people for blocking the highway.
“We didn’t stop anyone from reaching the dharna site,” an official said. Farmers, however, insisted on using the blocked route.”
According to him, the police later allowed them access to the route and the situation was brought under control.
The distillery is owned by a former SAD MLA who has stakes in the liquor industry. According to Aman Arora, the protest was “illegal and unjustified”.
In the evening, Samyukt Kisan Morcha leaders met with IG Jaskaran Singh, Deputy Commissioner Amrit Singh, and SSP Kanwardeep Kaur to discuss their demands, including the release of protesters, the cancellation of FIRs, and the reinstatement of 25 arms licences revoked by the administration.
