Protests Erupt Outside Punjab CM’s House, Police Using Batons to Control Crowd

Protestors have gathered outside of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s house in Sangrur and are clashing with the police. Farm workers and trade union members are present at the location demanding an increase in their minimum daily wage and implementation of the 5-marla land scheme.

Mann is on a campaign in Gujarat for the December 1 elections and a massive protest has erupted outside his house in Sangrur, Punjab. Farmers and union workers are clashing with the police who are trying to bring the crowd under control. Videos of the police using batons to control the crowd can be seen as protestors waving flags and shouting slogans.

They want their daily minimum wages to be increased to Rs. 700 under the MNREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) and implement the 5-marla land scheme. Their other demands include 33 percent Dalit representation in village cooperative societies, relief for farmers suffering due to cattle deaths from lumpy skin disease, compensation for crop damage, and an increase in recompense for land acquisition.

Protestors first gathered at Patiala Bypass and around 3 p.m., started marching toward the Chief Minister’s house. They were stopped by the police as they neared the minister’s society.

Aam Aadmi Party has blamed the BJP, saying that the protest is backed by the opposition. The party said that the protest is a way for the BJP to hit back as the ruling party in Gujarat is under pressure from the AAP campaign.

In October, farmers held a 19-day protest which was called off after the government agreed to their terms in writing.

Vineet Washington