In a startling incident near Bathinda, two farmers were detained after the police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against them. The farmers were accused of forcing government officials and employees, who had arrived at Mahima Sarja village to dissuade them from burning stubble, to set fire to the crop residue.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has expressed his dismay and anger over the event and is taking decisive action to address the issue.

The troubling incident unfolded during an inspection conducted by a three-member team from the Punjab government, tasked with monitoring and preventing stubble burning after the paddy crop harvest. In their efforts to stop the farmers from engaging in this hazardous practice, the officials found themselves held hostage and forced to partake in the very act they were trying to prevent.

The farmers documented the incident and shared it on social media, resulting in widespread outrage. Responding swiftly, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann publicly voiced his strong concerns and displeasure. The police, after identifying the farmers involved, registered a case against them.

The case has now been registered against nine individuals, including Baljit Singh and Surjit Singh from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), as well as Ram Singh. Authorities have been working diligently to locate and apprehend the implicated farmers.

The practice of burning crop residue has long been common in Punjab due to the extensive agricultural lands and the need for efficient waste management. However, this method has led to severe air pollution in cities like Delhi, Noida, and Agra, posing a significant health hazard and resulting in loss of lives.

The Punjab government has been actively campaigning to discourage farmers from resorting to stubble burning. Yet, many farmers argue that they have limited alternative options due to the lack of suitable machinery for residue disposal. This has led to multiple incidents where farmers vehemently protest against efforts to stop stubble burning, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.