Amritsar, July 7

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Committee, constituted to look into the atrocities on farmers during the agitation against three farm laws, today met the “victims” in Amritsar.

Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid, who heads the panel, said the farmers who faced brutality or were allegedly tortured and booked by the Delhi and Haryana police during the agitation recorded their statements.

Sandeep Singh from Tarn Taran said he had accompanied a farmers’ jatha on January 20 to participate in the tractor rally. “But we had no inkling as to what shape will it take. Following the violence, I was arrested on January 29 and put behind bars. We were beaten up for no reason. My bail was arranged by DSGMC chief Manjinder Sirsa on March 3. I believe the panel will bring justice.”

Another farmer Harjinder Singh said he had gone to the rally but could not participate in it. “Despite that we were picked up and lodged in Tihar Jail. We were booked on frivolous charges,” he said. The panel will submit its report by July 31. Vaid said the committee would propose that besides legal aid, the victims should be assisted economically. — TNS