The supporters and kin of independent MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains staged a massive protest against the Punjab Police for slapping 'false charges' against them, at the deputy commissioner's (DC) office on Monday. The protesters also handed over a memorandum to DC Rajat Agarwal, demanding the revocation of the FIR registered against the Bains brothers.
The protesters included women in large numbers, led by Simarjit's wife Surinder Kaur, Balwinder's wife Jaswinder Kaur and his daughter Arshdeep Kaur. They raised slogans against the state government at the mini secretariat. The protesters continued agitation, seeking the release of the MLAs.
It may be recalled that the Bains brothers were arrested on April 18 this year for launching a 'satyagraha' against the sand mafia in Chuharwal, village, which is located 17 km away from Ludhiana.
While Simarjit was arrested from Chuharwal, located on the banks of Sutlej river, his elder brother Balwinder was taken into custody from outside Hotel Nagpal Regency in Ludhiana. The Bains brothers had announced an agitation by their team 'Insaaf' from April 20, but they started it three days in advance.
While submitting the memorandum to the deputy commissioner, Arshdeep Kaur along with her supporters demanded "justice"for the Bains brothers. They said that the state government had slapped false charges on the members of legislative assembly.
According to the protesters, "The police added the charges of attempt to murder, theft and others two days after the incident which suggests foul play by the state government."
While submitting the memorandum to the deputy commissioner, Arshdeep Kaur along with her supporters demanded "justice"for the Bains brothers. They said that the state government had slapped false charges on the members of legislative assembly.
According to the protesters, "The police added the charges of attempt to murder, theft and others two days after the incident which suggests foul play by the state government."
Arshdeep Kaur said the protesters in large numbers wanted the government to revoke the FIR registered against the MLAs.
"Team Insaaf is fighting only against sand mafia in the city. The fight was going on to deter the sand mafia so that illegal activities may not be carried out. Appropriate action should be taken against the leaders, officials and authorities concerned, who had pressurised the police to register fake cases against them,"added Arshdeep Kaur.
What all happened
Supporters of Bains brothers gathered at Mini Secretariat at around 11am.
Balwinder Singh Bains' daughter Arshdeep Kaur submits memorandum to DC.
Seeks release of MLAs, accusing police of registering false cases against them.
Protest continued for over one hour with supporters raising slogans against the state government.