Chandigarh, January 31: The Punjab unit of Aam Aadmi Party highlighted the urgent need for state police protection for protesting farmers of Punjab.
I write to you on a matter of great urgency. As you are aware our farmer brothers and sisters from the State of Punjab have been protesting for months on end at the border to the National capital territory of Delhi against the three black farm laws that the BJP has bulldozed its way through during the Covid-19 pandemic.
While we understand that until now you have turned a blind eye to the plight of the farmers, it is a matter of great shock and surprise that we are having to bring it to your attention that they are under threat of physical violence and attack from goons of BJP. Our farmer brothers and sisters are at a daily risk of being physically attacked by BJP’s goons.
As a matter of fact, they have been exposed to violence for the past few days owing to the BJP’s machinations – whether through goons that are physically attacking them, or the Delhi Police, who abandons them.
Aam Aadmi Party demands that you deploy Punjab Police in sufficient numbers to surround the camps where the peaceful protests are being held from all sides. The Punjab Police must provide protection to our farmer sisters and brothers so no harm is done to them and they can continue to protest against the black farm laws in a peaceful manner. This protection to the farmers is absolutely essential in the light of recent attacks on them by engineered and executed by goons from BJP.
Please keep in mind that you are still for all intents and purposes the Chief Minister of State of Punjab. You have certain responsibilities towards your people; towards the annadaata of our nation, towards our farmer brothers and sisters. You have to provide for the protection of the proud citizens of the State of Punjab who have decided to brave the elements and protest against the three black laws and BJP’s apathetic, anti-farmer attitude.
So please take this entreaty from the Aam Aadmi Party as a matter of utmost priority. Please understand that the BJP proposes to continue its attitude of intimidating any person who dares to raise a voice in opposition to the BJP. It is very obvious from the recent behaviour of goons that have been disrupting meetings by pelting stones and other violent behaviour that the BJP will, in keeping with its standard modus operandi, by attempting to intimidate our farmer sisters and brothers.
For some absurd reason, a leader from your party has taken a stand that Punjab Police cannot provide protection outside the State. Please advise your leaders to eschew lying in public and embarrassing themselves further. For if it is not a lie, how else does your party explain the fact that every time a neta, officer or even random protectees of the State of Punjab travel outside the State, the police cover continues to protect them, including that when you travel to the National Capital Territory of Delhi your entire cavalcade including gunmen follow you and protect you. The excuses given by your party colleague shows Congress’ intent to completely abdicate its duties towards Punjab’s farmers. Had the Aam Aadmi Party been in power, we would have already deployed Punjab Police, instead of spreading lies and betraying our farmer sisters and brothers. So make haste and deploy Punjab Police urgently, and in adequate numbers, I’m seeking protection of the peacefully protesting farmers before the BJP machinery makes it inconsequential.
