Power employees’ unions and farmers’ organisations in Punjab have strongly criticised the arrest of protest leaders who were opposing the proposed transfer and sale of government land linked to the Sheron sugar mill in Tarn Taran district. The groups have warned the state government that the agitation could intensify if the detained leaders are not released quickly.
The arrests were made when protesters were staging what unions described as a peaceful demonstration against the decision to transfer the land to the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA). The issue has now triggered sharp reactions from multiple labour and farmers’ bodies across the state.
Leaders from several major organisations — including the PSEB Employees Joint Forum, Bijli Mulazam Ekta Manch Punjab, Association of Junior Engineers, Grid Sub-Station Employees Union, Pension Union (AITUC) and Pension Welfare Federation — jointly condemned the police action.
They said the arrests targeted representatives of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha as well as Bijli Mulazam Ekta Manch Punjab convenor Gurpreet Singh Gandiwind. According to the unions, the protest was peaceful and aimed only at opposing what they see as an unjust land transfer.
Union leaders stated that farmers’ and employees’ organisations across Punjab are united against the proposed land sale. They argued that detaining leaders who were demonstrating peacefully amounts to a violation of democratic rights.
In their joint statement, the unions said the government should engage in dialogue instead of taking what they called a “repressive” approach. They maintained that the protest was within the constitutional framework and did not warrant arrests.
The organisations further alleged that the land in question belongs to the Sheron sugar mill and that its transfer to PUDA could harm farmers’ interests. They demanded that the government immediately review and withdraw the decision.
Union representatives also expressed concern that such actions could create unnecessary tension between the administration and workers’ groups. They urged authorities to avoid steps that may escalate the situation on the ground.
ALSO READ: Pakistan judge’s appointment void after fake degree row
ALSO READ: Union Cabinet approves proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam ahead of assembly polls
The protesting groups have issued a clear warning to the Punjab government. They said that if the arrested leaders are not released immediately and the proposed land sale is not cancelled, power employees’ organisations will intensify their agitation in coordination with farmer bodies.
According to the unions, any escalation of protests will be the government’s responsibility if it fails to address the demands. They indicated that joint statewide protests could be organised in the coming days if no action is taken.
Meanwhile, the PSEB Employees Federation (AITUC) convened an emergency meeting of its Circle Purvi unit in Ludhiana. During the meeting, members strongly criticised the arrests and expressed solidarity with the detained leaders.
Speakers at the meeting said employees and farmers have historically worked together on issues affecting public assets and workers’ rights. They emphasised that the current dispute has once again brought the two groups onto a common platform.
The controversy over the Sheron sugar mill land comes at a sensitive time, with farmer organisations already cautious about government decisions involving agricultural or public land. Observers say the situation could develop into a larger political and labour issue if negotiations do not begin soon.
So far, there has been no detailed public response from the state government addressing the unions’ latest warnings. However, officials are expected to closely monitor the situation as pressure builds from organised labour groups.
For now, unions remain firm in their stand. They insist that the protests will continue — and may expand — until the arrested leaders are freed and the land transfer decision is reconsidered.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash