The controversy began with an FIR filed on January 6, 2022, citing charges of “obstructing public way.” However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders criticized the FIR as “weak” and demanded stricter action. Consequently, a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the incident further.
Punjab: A court in Punjab’s Ferozepur district has issued arrest warrants against 25 farmers for their alleged role in a security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on January 5, 2022.
The farmers, affiliated with the Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari) and Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union, were reportedly involved in blocking the route of the Prime Minister’s convoy on a flyover near Hussainiwala village. This forced Modi to abort his visit, sparking a major political controversy.
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The Union government labeled the incident a “major security lapse.”
At the time, then Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi dismissed the Union government’s claim of a threat to the Prime Minister’s safety.
He had said, “There was no threat to the prime minister and that Modi had made a sudden change of plans.”
The controversy began with an FIR filed on January 6, 2022, citing charges of “obstructing public way.” However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders criticized the FIR as “weak” and demanded stricter action. Consequently, a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the incident further. Based on the SIT’s findings, additional charges, including attempt to murder, assault on a public servant, wrongful restraint, and unlawful assembly, were added.
Among those named in the FIR were 26 individuals, including Baldev Singh Zira, the general secretary of Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari). However, no arrests were made initially. One accused, Major Singh, passed away during the investigation, reducing the number of accused to 25.
The Ferozepur court issued the arrest warrants on January 3, 2025, after the accused failed to appear despite repeated summons. The court instructed the Kulgarhi police station to arrest and present the 25 individuals by January 22.
Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Randhir Kumar confirmed, “The investigation is underway.”
Unidentified officials told media that police raids were being conducted to apprehend the accused.
Surjeet Singh Phul, president of Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari), criticized the government’s actions.
He stated, “Punjab Police has been sending arrest warrants to the accused and visiting their homes, pressuring family members to join the investigation. This is being done at the behest of the central government to target protesting farmers.”
Phul also questioned the basis of the charges, saying, “The attempt-to-murder charges are baseless, as no confrontation occurred on the flyover. We were peacefully protesting against the PM’s visit as per the call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). The FIR and subsequent action are a result of central government pressure to intimidate union leaders.”
One of the accused, Kamaljeet Singh, applied for anticipatory bail, but district sessions judge Varinder Aggarwal rejected the plea on January 14.
Phul further said, “We are warning the government not to target farmers. Earlier, Punjab Police forcibly picked up Jagjit Singh Dallewal from the Khanauri border during the night of November 25-26, ahead of his planned hunger strike; he was later released on November 29. At that time, they attempted to sabotage our hunger strike program. We have warned the Punjab government not to follow in the footsteps of the central government.”
Background:
On January 5, 2022, Prime Minister Modi was traveling to Hussainiwala to pay tribute to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. He was also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a satellite center of PGI Ferozepur near the Piareana flyover. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the Prime Minister opted to travel by road from Bathinda airport instead of using a helicopter.
Farmers from Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari) and Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union blocked the flyover, causing the Prime Minister’s convoy to remain stranded for over 15 minutes before returning to Bathinda airport. Modi eventually flew back to Delhi without attending any events. Notably, the rally’s attendance was reportedly low due to the rainy weather.
Phul alleged, “By conducting raids, the police aim to force farmers into hiding, who are otherwise engaged in protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.”
The farmers against whom arrest warrants have been issued include Kamaljeet Singh, Baldev Singh Zira, Lakhwinder Singh, Avtar Singh, Gian Singh, and others.
