NIA summons to farm leader draws SAD's ire, claims 'Centre trying to tire out protesters'

National Investigation ncy's summons to Lok Bhalai Insaf Welfare Society (LBIWS) president Baldev Singh Sirsa has drawn ire of Shiromani Akali Dal. Incidentally, LBIWS is one of farmers' unions participating in talks with Centre to resolve standoff over agrarian laws. Condemning NIA's action, S chief Sukhbir Singh Bal on Saturday claimed that this was an attempt to "intimidate" farmers protesting against Farmers' Produce Tre and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020,  Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. Moreover, Bal accused  Union government of trying to tire out farmers.

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NIA's case

Sirsa has been asked to appear before NIA on January 17 in connection with case against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and or persons associated with pro-Khalistan terror group Sikhs for Justice.  FIR has been registered under Sections 120B, 124A, 153A and 153B of Indian Penal Code and Sections 13, 17, 18, 18B and 20 of UAPA. ncy has accused terror group of a conspiracy to create an “atmosphere of fear and lawlessness and to cause disaffection in people and to incite m towards rising in rebellion against Government of India”.

Claiming that huge funds are being sent to pro-Khalistan elements based in India, NIA accused  SFJ leership of plotting to undertake terrorist attacks in country. As per NIA, this banned organization wants to create a separate nation of Khalistan after secession from India. Some of or individuals summoned in case include Punjabi actor Deep Sindhu, journalist Jasbir Singh and activist Gurpreet Singh. 

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impasse over farm laws continues

On Friday, Centre's 10th round of talks with farmers' unions concluded with a detailed discussion on all three farm laws especially  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. Speaking to media, Union Agricultural Minister Narendra Singh Tomar stated that deliberations were held in a cordial atmosphere. Observing that  Ministers including Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and MoS Commerce Som Parkash tried to dress concerns of farmers, he ackwledged that agreement could t be reached.  next round of talks will be held at on on January 19.

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