Punjab farmers' body attacks cops, holds them captive during paddy procurement

The DSP said that an Inspector and a Naib Tehsildar were held captive by the farmers. One ASI-rank Police officer was attacked with the intent to kill, authorities said.

A police officer was injured in Raike Kalan village of Bathinda as a farmers' union attacked cops and held them captive during the paddy procurement process on Monday, news agency ANI reported.

DSP Bathinda Harbans Singh Dhaliwal said, "In Raike Kalan village, farmers' union gheraoed Inspector and Naib Tehsildar during the procurement process of paddy. When our Police party reached there, they requested that our officers who were held captive be allowed to leave. But the farmers' union didn't relent. So, when the Police party tried to get them released, they (farmers' union) attacked them."

"One of our officials was injured. Our vehicles were vandalised. Tehsildar and Inspector were freed. We are speaking with the offices if others were injured too. An ASI-rank officer was attacked with an intent to kill. He has sustained injuries. He was attacked with sticks, kirpan and machete...We will take action as per law," he added.

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