Police in Muktsar district detained activist Raman Kumar at his residence on Monday morning, just ahead of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's scheduled 'Lok Milni' programme in neighbouring Faridkot district. Raman Kumar, a resident of Karamgarh village near Malout town, serves as the state convener of the Berozgar Sanjha Morcha Punjab, an organisation representing unemployed youth.
Details of the detention
According to Kumar, police personnel arrived at his home in Karamgarh village and took him into custody. The activist claimed he was not given any prior notice or explanation for the detention. The distance between his village and Panjgrain Kalan in Faridkot district, where the Chief Minister's event was scheduled, is nearly 80 kilometres.
No official statement regarding the reported detention had been issued by the police at the time of filing this report. The Tribune attempted to contact local police officials but received no comment.
CM Mann's Lok Milni schedule
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is on a multi-day tour of the Malwa region, holding 'Lok Milni' public interaction events. The programme at Panjgrain Kalan village in Faridkot district was scheduled for Monday. The Chief Minister is also slated to hold a similar event at Mandi Kalan village in Bathinda district on Tuesday, followed by another programme at Dharampura village in Mansa district on Wednesday.
The Lok Milni initiative is part of the Aam Aadmi Party government's outreach to address public grievances directly. However, the detention of an activist ahead of such an event has raised concerns about political space and freedom of expression in the state.
Background of the activist
Raman Kumar is known for his advocacy on unemployment issues and has been vocal in criticising the state government's policies on job creation. The Berozgar Sanjha Morcha Punjab has previously organised protests demanding government jobs and better employment opportunities for the youth.
Political observers note that detentions of opposition activists ahead of high-profile government events are not uncommon in Punjab, but they often draw criticism from civil liberties groups. The incident comes amid heightened political activity in the state, with the ruling AAP government facing scrutiny over its performance on key promises.
As of now, no charges have been formally announced against Raman Kumar, and it remains unclear whether he will be produced before a magistrate or released. The Tribune will continue to follow the story and update as more information becomes available.
