LUDHIANA: Protesters blocked the busy
Ludhiana-Ferozepur
road for hours after a police officer allegedly thrashed a farmer on the outskirts of
Mullanpur
. Commuters had a tough time due to traffic blockade on the road.
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On Tuesday morning, police said, the farmer, identified as
Gagan Singh
of
Rakba
village was on his way home on his tractor from Mullanpur. When he reached near Dhaka Chowk, the driver of Sidhwan Bet SHO Lovedeep Singh asked for side to pass. Sources said the road was too narrow for the tractor driver to give side to the SHO's vehicle. After some time, the police officer's vehicle overtook the tractor and the driver parked his vehicle before it. Later, the SHO and his body guards disembarked and allegedly manhandled the driver.
Later, police said, the tractor driver, along with a few other villagers, reached the main chowk in Mullanpur where they blocked the Ludhiana- Ferozepur road. They said the road remained blocked for around one and a half hours from around 9.30 am to 11 am on Tuesday, inconveniencing commuters.
Senior police officers, including deputy superintendent of police (DSP) rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protesters. The blockade was lifted after senior police officers assured protesters that the SHO would apologise for the incident.
DSP Mullanpur
Ajay Raj Singh
said they diverted traffic on the Ludhiana- Raikot and Ludhiana-Jagraon road to prevent problems for commuters. He also said the two parties struck a compromise after the protest and said the SHO had not beaten up Gagan.
However, commuters were fuming due to traffic chaos. "If the police officer has manhandled the tractor driver it is unfortunate and condemnable. But the action by protesters was also unwarranted as they made us suffer by blocking traffic. I had to reach Ferozepur by around 11.30 am but was delayed due to the traffic mess in Mullanpur", said Amarjeet Singh, a resident.