In a move described as unconstitutional, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the residence of Sukhwinder Kaur, a leading female farmer activist, in the Rampura Phul region of Punjab’s Bathinda district last week. Critics argue that the state is attempting to quash democratic opposition stemming from the ongoing farmers' agitation by targeting prominent figures in the movement, marking what some are calling a rise in proto-fascist tactics.
Kaur, who has been a significant revolutionary figure in the farmers' movement for over four decades and currently holds the position of state general secretary of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari), reported the raid that began early in the morning and concluded around midday.
Kaur has been quoted as saying, “I am currently at the Shambhu border, but my husband informed me that the NIA team arrived with a search warrant connected to an FIR filed in Lucknow in 2023, in which I am named. I am perplexed as I have never traveled to Lucknow in the past year.”
During the raid, Kaur described how agents searched her entire home, inspected family members' phones, and confiscated her husband's device. The NIA even prevented her daughter-in-law from attending school, where she teaches.
Kaur remarked, “The BJP finds itself under pressure following the Kangana Ranaut incident, and they are now seeking to undermine farmers in another way. We will not succumb to their intimidation.”
Surjit Singh Phul, state president of BKU (Krantikari), noted that after Kaur alerted nearby farmers, a protest was organized outside her home to express dissent against the NIA's unannounced raid. Phul commented, “This protest highlights our opposition to the agency's actions, conducted without prior notice or written information.”
He summarized the raid as an attempt to demoralize farmer leaders, recalling similar NIA operations during past farmer protests against three now-repealed farm laws. "These raids occur suddenly, without warrants or the involvement of local police, showcasing their aim to intimidate us amid the ongoing dharna at the Shambhu border, which will reach 200 days last week" he added. Phul also stated that all farmer unions agreed to protest whenever the NIA executes raids at farmers' homes.
The farmers also raised concerns regarding the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of enabling the NIA's actions and failing to take appropriate measures against the raids. While the NIA has not disclosed specifics about the records examined at Kaur’s residence, sources indicate that her mobile phone records were among those checked.
Another leader from the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, highlighted that Kaur had previously faced legal action under Section 307 of the IPC during protests following a deadly police shooting in Jethuke in 2000.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a convener for KMM, criticized the Modi government's use of central agencies to target farmers, asserting that the raid's timing was calculated to coincide with the 200-day mark of the ongoing protest at the Shambhu border. He remarked, "They previously labeled us as Khalistanis, and now they will find another way to discredit us. We are undeterred by NIA raids.”
Bhatinda Superintendent of Police Narinder Singh confirmed the NIA's actions, stating that police were deployed to maintain peace and order throughout the farmers' protest. He noted that the NIA completed their documentation before departing the scene.
Hundreds of farmers continue to camp at the Punjab-Haryana border, advocating for a legal guarantee on minimum support prices (MSP) for all crops, the implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendations, full debt relief for farmers, pensions for agricultural laborers, and the dismissal of cases against farmers arising from the 2020-2021 protests.
The NIA’s intrusion into Kaur's home has sparked widespread condemnation among farmers, who demand that the agency collaborate with local police for future raids and operate transparently with search warrants and community representatives present.
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*Freelance journalist
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