Activists of Border Area Sangharsh Committee protest against AAP MLA Khaira

AAP MLA and leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira today faced protests by members of Border Area Sangharsh Committee when he visited two elderly women who have been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike in front of the district administrative complex here for the past few days, police said.

These two women and their family besides members of various farmers' outfits, including Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Sidhupura), have been protesting and demanding action against the people whom they alleged were trying to usurp their 26 acres land in Jhoke Harihar village, they said.

When Khaira visited them along with other AAP supporters, the activists of Border Area Sangharsh Committee, protested against him, they said.

This group also staked their claim regarding the ownership of the same land.

When Khaira was about to leave after meeting the two women and their family members, the other group forced him to listen to their version of the dispute during which heated arguments took place, the police said.

Khaira was reluctant to listen to the grievances of the other group as it included some Congress workers, they said.

Irked over the turn of events, the protesters blocked his way and thrashed some policemen also, they said.

Addressing mediapersons here, Khaira said the Congress has unleashed a reign of terror in the state.

He claimed that the MLAs belonging to the ruling party were supporting mafia to grab lands at various places in the state.

Khaira alleged that Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was himself patronizing the MLAs to take law in their hands.

When contacted Chamkaur Singh Dhindsa, president, district Congress committee, he alleged that the AAP leader instigated the protesting farmers.

He said that both the groups were sitting on dharna peacefully but Khaira purposely ignored the members of Border Area Sangharsh Committee following which the environment was vitiated.