Clash Between Farmers and Police in Samana; 90 Farmers Detained

Tensions escalated in Samana today as farmers gathered in large numbers to hold an indefinite protest in support of Gurjit Singh Khalsa. Members of the non-political United Farmers’ Front assembled to press for action against sacrilege incidents, leading to a confrontation with police authorities. Gurjit Singh Khalsa, 43, has been atop a 400-foot BSNL tower in Samana since October 2024, demanding the enactment of a stricter law to punish those involved in sacrilege. Despite adverse weather conditions and health concerns, he has refused to descend, maintaining his protest to press the government for legislative action. Patiala police had established strict roadblocks to prevent farmers from entering Samana. When protesters attempted to advance, clashes broke out between the farmers and law enforcement. Farmers raised slogans against the government while police resorted to mild baton charges to contain the crowd. Officers reported that repeated appeals to disperse went unheeded, forcing authorities to intervene physically. Minor injuries were reported among both farmers and police personnel during the scuffles. In preparation for the protest, Punjab police had detained approximately 90 farmer leaders and activists from Sangrur district and surrounding areas. Among those detained was senior leader Bhana Sidhu of BKU Sidhuppur, who was intercepted while traveling toward the protest site in his vehicle. Despite checkpoints and police barricades, farmers remained determined to press their demands. Supporters of Gurjit Singh Khalsa had also undertaken a march on foot starting January 1 to increase pressure on the government. Khalsa has stated that his struggle will continue until stringent legislation against sacrilege is enacted. The protest in Samana highlights the ongoing tensions between the authorities and farmer activists advocating for legislative reform on sacrilege-related offenses.