Here Is Why Farmer Leader Baldev Singh Sirsa Is Summoned By NIA And Protesters Are Crying Foul

As the ongoing protest at the borders of Delhi led by farmers from Punjab is nearing two months, the government and the demonstrators are sticking to their stands.

But as the deadlock continues, the protesting farmers have been alleging that the government is resorting to intimidation tactics, targeting the protest leaders.

Now adding fuel to the fire is an NIA summons for Baldev Singh Sirsa, the president of Lok Bhalai Insaf Welfare Society (LBIWS) which is one of the unions that is involved in the protests.

Baldev Singh Sirsa/ Facebook

According to reports, Sirsa has been summoned for questioning on January 17 as a "witness" in a case related to terror funding.

The NIA has summoned Sirsa in connection with a case related to the funding of Sikh For Justice, a banned pro-Khalistan outfit.

The protesters however see red in the timing of the summons and alleged that the government was using investigative agencies to intimidate them.

They also alleged that Sira is not the only protest leader who has been summoned by the agencies.

Baldev Singh Sirsa has been asked to appear at the NIA headquarters for questioning in the case against SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu for an alleged conspiracy to create an ¡°atmosphere of fear and lawlessness and to cause disaffection in people and to incite them towards rising in pic.twitter.com/2gdLnFrMVg

¡ª _Angad_singh_ (@_Gaziangad_) January 16, 2021

@kamalsinghbrar reports that farmer leader Baldev Singh Sirsa has been sent notice by India¡¯s counter-terror task force NIA.
Sirsa had made his mobile number public and had told people to call him in case of need in middle of night.(my view)

¡ª Sandeep Singh (@PunYaab) January 16, 2021

Some more people who have received NIA notices are
1. Balwinder Pal Singh.
2. Paramjit Singh, Amritsar
3. Jasvir Singh.
4. Karnail Singh Ghorewlaa.
5. Surinder singh Thikriwala.
6. Inderpal Singh Judge of Ludhiana, 7. Nobeljit Singh of Hoshiarpur,
8. Palwinder Singh of Moga,

¡ª Amaan (@amaanbali) January 16, 2021

Desperation to defame #FarmersProtest ?

Government Agency NIA summoned Farmer Leader Baldev Singh Sirsa.

Baldev Singh Sirsa says Govt. tried to derail agitation through Police, IT, Supreme Court and now it is using #NIA. pic.twitter.com/cI75As6cX4

¡ª Kisan Ekta March (@KisanEktaMarch) January 16, 2021

The issue also came up during the talks between the government and the unions on Friday.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has also alleged that in Haryana, the government and police are targeting those involved in providing logistic support to the protesters in the Delhi border.

Baldev Singh Sirsa/ Facebook

SKM had claimed that more farmers from other states are scheduled to join the ongoing farmers' protests at and around Delhi borders.

"Farmers are coming in large numbers on all the borders of Delhi. In Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, there are frequent tractor marches and a large number of farmers are reaching to Delhi. Farmers in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh are continuing with an indefinite sit-in strike" he said in a release. "More than 500 farmers from Kerala have reached Shahjahanpur border," farmer union leader Darshan Pal said.

AFP

He said that many misconceptions are being spread regarding the January 26 "Kisan Republic Parade" announced by the Samyuktan Kisan Morcha. "We are making it clear that we have no motive to harm the Republic Day parade by the parade of farmers. The detailed plan for this will be delivered only after a meeting of farmers' organizations on January 17 and the hearing of the Supreme Court on January 18," he added.