Punjab police launch crackdown on protesting farmers

LAHORE: Punjab police has initiated arrests of the farmers’ leaders across the province after they announced protest in front of the Punjab Assembly on Monday amid the ongoing crisis surrounding wheat procurement in the  province

The farmers alliance, Kisan Ittehad, headed by Vice President Sabir Niaz Kombuh, announced a sit-in protest outside the Punjab Assembly today.

Punjab’s farmers are protesting against the delay in the purchase of wheat on the fixed government price amid a wet spell in the province.

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Several farmers, including President Kashtkar (farmers) Foundation Punjab Mumtaz Daulatana has been arrested in Pir Mahal.

According to reports, several officials of the farmers’ union have also been apprehended, including Sabir Niaz Kombuh, Central Vice President, who was arrested at his residence in Aarifwala.

The Punjab Kisan Board Chairman, Mian Abdul Rashid, has also been detained in Lahore, as confirmed by the board.

Farmers from various cities have poured into Lahore. The police have gathered several prison vans in anticipation of the protest.

Water cannons were also deployed outside the Punjab Assembly on Monday.

Police personnel have also been deployed at Motorway M-3 Interchange to prevent the farmers from reaching to Lahore for protest.

GOVT DENIES ARRESTING ANY FARMERS

Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari has denied that any representatives of the farmers have been arrested.

There are three to four organizations of farmers in Pakistan, and the Punjab government is in full contact with the real representatives of farmers, she said

She said some people are wearing the cloak of farmers under the guise of politics. We will not allow anyone to play politics on this crucial matter.

She added that a certain party, which is the biggest enemy of the farmers, is giving a political color to this issue.