TAD NewsDesk, New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has summoned over two dozen people in a case related to an organisation called Sikhs for Justice. It supposedly advocates Sikh secessionism and is allegedly aiding the protesters. The farm unions are claiming this as an attempt by the government to “harass” them.
Balbir Singh Rajewal, a senior leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha told the newspaper Hindustan Times that none of the farmers who are summoned will appear before the agency as a mark of protest.
Mr Rajewal said
“There are many organisations which are helping us in so many ways…by organising langars (canteens), logistics, tents etc. The government is trying to threaten them and weaken the agitation through harassment. We have decided that no farmer who has got these notices will appear before the NIA as a mark of protest.”
The farm unions had raised the issue of NIA summoning those who have supported agitation with three Union ministers — Narendra Tomar, Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash — during the ninth round of talks on January 15.
According to a press statement by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar had “promised to look into the matter”.
The unions said in a statement,
“Despite this, the notices given to the agitators even today is shameless, it shows insensitivity of the government. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha condemns the act of serving these notices. In the coming days, legal action will also be taken against these notices.”
The farm unions are still in Delhi, representing thousands of farmers to protest against the three Centre farm laws. These laws are seen as disadvantageous and evil by the farmers while the government is claiming the aim of these laws are to modernize the agriculture.
Agriculture Minister, Tomar said recently “A majority of farmers in the country support the laws. We will find a solution through talks.”
The NIA had issued summonses to over two dozen people associated with farmers’ protests on January 15, asking them to appear before it in Delhi in connecting with its probe related to funding of Khalistanis abroad for organising on-ground campaigns and demonstrations outside Indian missions in the UK, the US, Canada, Germany and other countries.
More information is yet to unfold on the matter. Right now the farmers are taking a stand not to show up at the office according to reports.
Source: Hindustan Times
