The district police have booked 41 farmer members of Zameen Prapati Sangharsh Samiti (ZPSS) for attacking cops on Friday during the auction of reserved panchayat land at Balad Kalan village in Bhawanigharh subdivision of this district. The accused were on Saturday produced before judicial magistrate (first class) Gurmeet Singh Tiwana, who sent remanded them in judicial custody till July 11.
Following the order, the police took them to the district jail but released three women protesters on bail.
"All 41 protesters were booked at Bhawanigarh under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 186 (obstructing public servant), 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 148 (armed riot) and 149 (unlawful assembly with common object) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," said deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Gurpreet Singh Dhindsa.
He added that they had attacked the policemen who had been helping the district administration conduct the auction peacefully.
"In the incident, 11 police personnel, including eight women, were injured," said the DSP, adding: "We admitted them to the civil hospital here. The ZPSS reported its 12 members injured in the police baton charge. They are admitted to the government hospital at Bhawanigarh. Two women protesters were referred to Rajindra hospital, Patiala.
The farmers want the land auction at Balad Kalan cancelled, alleging that the auction rate was beyond the reach of the Dalits. The district administration wants to complete the process, as five auctions have been cancelled already. The farmers' attempting tried to cross the police barricades at the block development and panchayat office had led to the baton charge.
{{/usCountry}}The farmers want the land auction at Balad Kalan cancelled, alleging that the auction rate was beyond the reach of the Dalits. The district administration wants to complete the process, as five auctions have been cancelled already. The farmers' attempting tried to cross the police barricades at the block development and panchayat office had led to the baton charge.
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