Babaria Leaders Detained Ahead of CM's Public Meeting
Police in Kotkapura detained leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Babaria Samaj Sangathan Punjab at their residences on Monday, just hours before Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann arrived at village Panjgrain Kalan in the Jaito assembly segment of Faridkot district for a Lok Milni programme. The community leaders had previously announced their intention to confront the CM over long-standing demands.
Raids and House Arrest
Police conducted raids at the home of the organisation’s provincial president Waheguru Singh in village Kabulwala and at the residence of former provincial president Sarwan Singh Panjgrain in village Panjgrain Kalan, placing both leaders under house arrest as a precautionary measure. Raids were also reported at the homes of several other functionaries of the organisation. The Chief Minister reached Panjgrain Kalan at around 6:30 pm for the public interaction programme, with security arrangements considerably tightened across the area.
Community Grievances and Unfulfilled Promises
The Babaria Samaj Sangathan had publicly announced its plan to meet the Chief Minister during the Lok Milni and raise the community’s grievances directly before him. The organisation alleged that during the 2022 Punjab assembly elections, the community had supported the Aam Aadmi Party after the party promised to address the demands of the Babaria community on a priority basis once in power. However, the leaders claimed that not only had those promises remained unfulfilled, but welfare facilities that the community was already receiving had been curtailed after the government came to power.
Leaders Demand Dialogue
Provincial president Waheguru Singh said that despite sustained agitation over the years, the community’s problems had found no redress. “This government neither pays heed to demands raised through protests nor is it willing to sit across the table for dialogue,” he said, demanding that the Chief Minister personally meet representatives of the Babaria community and find solutions to their problems.
Police Justify Preventive Action
Police claimed that the preventive action had been taken to curb any disturbance to law and order during the CM’s visit. The incident highlights the growing tension between the AAP government and the Babaria community, which feels betrayed by unfulfilled electoral promises.
