Independent MlAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains, popularly known as Bains brothers, were arrested on Friday after they started a “satyagrah” against illegal mining in the State. Bains brothers, along with their 500 supporters, started their protest against the prevailing illegal mining at Churhwal village of ludhiana district by digging sand from Satluj river.
Earlier, Bains brothers had accused the police of complying to whatever Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy son Sukhbir Badal say. Both brothers, who have been earlier with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), had been at loggerheads with the ruling party.
The Bains brothers had already announced to start their “satyagrah” from April 20 against the sand mafia at the banks of the Sutlej where the illegal mining is allegedly undertaken. Condemning their “arbitrary arrest”, the Congress Deputy leader in the lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday said that the Akali-BJP Government was trying to stifle the voice of opposition. “It is sad that instead of taking serious note of the issues being raised by the two MlAs and talking to them, it has arrested them,” he said.
Appreciating the firm stand taken by the two MlAs on an issue which concerns the common man, the former Chief Minister said that India was a democracy and everybody has a right to protest. “Those who are trying to muzzle the voice of people are bound to be taught a firm lesson by the same people”, he said.