Raghbir Singh Brar
Faridkot
Email:raghbirsinghbrar@gmail.com
September 9, 2026
The ongoing agrarian unrest in Punjab took a sharp turn today as police detained nearly 170 farmers across Faridkot district to preempt a state-level meeting called by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhupur-Ekta. The protest, which reached its 160th day—just over five months—remains unresolved despite prolonged demonstrations against the Punjab Agriculture Development Bank,officially headed by the CM Bhagwant Mann.
The dharna , which commenced on March 30, was triggered by the tragic suicide of two brothers from Hari Naon village, who died by jumping in front of a train. The incident brought long-festering grievances against the local agricultural bank to a head.
Union leaders have leveled serious allegations against bank officials, citing widespread financial irregularities. According to protest leaders, the bank allegedly recovered double the owed amount from several farmers, illegally retained signed blank cheques, dragged farmers into court cases, and infringed upon credit facilities extended by other financial institutions.
Today’s planned state-level assembly in Faridkot was meant to evaluate the ongoing dialogue with the district administration. However, heavy police deployment thwarted the gathering early in the day.
“We have been sitting on a protest since March 30 against these grave irregularities,” said Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, President of BKU Sidhupur-Ekta and Convenor of SKM (Non-Political). “The state government, using police force, foiled our meeting today. Many activists were detained, and I was placed under house arrest. While the district administration claims our demand for a One-Time Settlement (OTS) has been accepted, it comes with conditions that require further discussion.”
Dallewal was later permitted to leave his residence, where he joined and led a large cavalcade of farmers through the district.
Confirming the large-scale preventative action, Bohar Singh Rupian Wala, District President of BKU Sidhupur-Ekta, stated, “Nearly 170 farmers from our district have been detained at various police stations. Despite the crackdown, Pradhan Ji [Dallewal] is leading our cavalcade, and talks with the district administration are still ongoing.”
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Faridkot, Gurbans Singh Bains, was unavailable for official comments regarding the detentions or security arrangements.
According to Bohar Singh, the union was holding talks with the district administration till the filing of this report.No official word yet by the district administration.
Any update if received, would be added up to the story.