After Saturday’s incident where protesting farmers had attacked and vandalised the vehicles of senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon and Chandigarh Mayor Ravi Kant Sharma, the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore on Monday directed the Police Department to take strict action against those who were involved in the violent incident.
The Administrator held a meeting with senior officers of the UT Administration and Police Department to review the law and order situation in the city.
In the first such incident in Chandigarh, farmers protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws had attacked the vehicles of Tandon and Sharma on Saturday. Both had escaped unhurt but their vehicles were damaged in the incident at the Motor Market in Sector 48.
Tandon, former chief of Chandigarh’s BJP unit, is now co-incharge of the Himachal BJP unit.
After the incident, the UT Police had registered an FIR under Sections 147, 148, 149, 341, 427, 307, 506, 269 and 270 of the Indian Penal Code and had also impounded a tractor. Several people have also been arrested.
During the meeting, Badnore directed the Police Department to act strictly against the accused who indulged in violence.
It was decided that a joint meeting of Police chiefs of tricity will be convened soon to keep Chandigarh and tricity free from such incidents and to ensure better coordinated action against those who indulge in disturbing public peace.
“While in democracy every citizen has a right to lawful and peaceful protest, no unlawful activity shall be tolerated except peaceful protests, rallies or demonstrations only at earmarked place at Rally Ground Sector-25 here. Strict action as per law will be taken against those who indulge in violence,” said an official spokesman of Chandigarh Administration.
No tractor-trolley etc. will be permitted in any rally, protest or demonstration within Chandigarh city and Police is directed to ensure that such vehicles are not allowed to join any protest, the spokesman said.
The cases registered in the recent past are being investigated thoroughly and expeditiously. Strict action as per law will be taken against perpetrators who were found involved in unlawful and violent activities, he added.
Meanwhile, the farmers' leaders have condemned the Police action against farmers. BKU leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said that if the Chandigarh police don’t stop its witch-hunt, going to various villages in Punjab to arrest farmers, we will intensify the protest.