Farmers to hold protest in Ferozepur against attempt-to-murder charges over PM Modi’s security breach
Ferozepur, February 5, 2025: Farmers’ unions have renewed their demand for the withdrawal of attempt-to-murder charges against several of their leaders for blocking the Pyareana flyover in Ferozepur district during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab in January 2022 and announced to hold protest on February 11.
Baldev Singh Zira, State General Secretary of BKU Krantikari, accused the government of acting under pressure from the Centre, alleging that it deliberately targets farmers.
Following protests outside Kulgarhi police station last month, the farmers have now announced a large-scale demonstration outside the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) on February 11. The protest will coincide with a Kisan Mahapanchayat, where leaders will press for the removal of Section 307 from the FIR.
If the police do not withdraw the attempt-to-murder charges, we will escalate our agitation in the coming days, said female farmer leader Sukhwinder Kaur, General Secretary, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Krantikari.
The case dates back to January 5, 2022, when farmers blocked the Pyareana flyover, halting Prime Minister Modi’s convoy for about 20 minutes as he was en route to the National Martyrs' Memorial in Hussainiwala. The Prime Minister was also scheduled to inaugurate the PGI Satellite Center that day but had to turn back due to the blockade. The incident occurred during his first Punjab visit after the repeal of the contentious farm laws.
Meanwhile, on February 11, the same day as the farmers' protest, the central government will be holding talks in Chandigarh with farmers from Punjab and Haryana, who have been agitating for nearly a year over multiple demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). Another round of discussions with the Centre has been scheduled for February 14.
Baldev Singh Zira, State General Secretary of BKU Krantikari, accused the government of acting under pressure from the Centre, alleging that it is deliberately targeting farmers.
With growing tensions, all eyes are now on February 11 to see how the government responds to the farmers' demands.