Protesting CPI workers arrested

MANSA, Feb 15: A number of workers of the Communisty Party of India (CPI) who were staging a rally here today to protest against the state government for its “failure on all fronts” were arrested by the local police.

According to the police, the arrests were made for violation Article 144 CrPC which in force in the district.Earlier CPI legislator Hardev Singh Arshi led the agitation which included the hundreds of party workers of mainly Budhlada block. Criticising the policies of the state government, Arshi alleged that the so-called pro-farmer Badal government forced the farmers of the state to end their lives. While the paddy was destroyed in the mandis because of the carelessness on the part of of purchase agencies, the farmers were not paid even a single penny as compensation for crop failure due to natural reasons, he chared.

A CPI worker, Hans Raj said that party workers from the 52 villages of Budhlada block took part in the rally. He said that the party would intensify its agitation in near future, in case the government did not initiate firm steps to control the situation.