PHAGWARA: Tension escalated in Kapurthala after Nadala Police arrested Nirmal Singh Mand, Block Begowal President of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Qadian, and his associate Sarabjit Singh Bal.
The arrests led to strong protests as union members gathered outside the Nadala police post, blocking the premises and demanding the immediate release of the detained leaders. District President Jasbir Singh Littan, Block Nadala President Joga Singh Ibrahimwal, District Committee member Happy Julka and other union representatives staged an eight-hour sit-in demonstration, raising slogans against the police action. The protesters alleged that the police kept the two leaders handcuffed at the station before transferring them to Kapurthala in a government vehicle.
According to police, the arrests were made in connection with FIR No. 251 registered at Subhanpur police station following a complaint by Rachhpal Sharma of Bhulath and Boota Singh of Begowal.