Dullo condemns police action on farmers, wants talks on SEZ issue

Chandigarh, Dec 27 (UNI) Condemning the yesterday's lathicharge on the demonstrating farmers near Amritsar, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Shamsher Singh Dullo today said the state government should hold negotiations with the peasants opposing the land acquisition for Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The police action that injured several farmers was highly condemnable as they have been snatched off their democratic rights, Mr Dullo said at a press conference here.

Over 30 farmers had been injured in a clash with policemen after the cops forced them to withdraw the blockade of Amritsar-TarnTaran highway near Chabba village yesterday. Nearly 40 farmers had also been taken into custody under various sections of IPC.

On the issue of resignation of Congress MLA Raj Khurana from the party and then joining the BJP, Mr Dullo said Mr Khurana had never approached him with any resentment. He termed this development as unfortunate.

The PPCC chief said that the ruling Congress would constitute its election committee and a manifesto committee within a week as a decision to this effect was taken at the PPCC executive members meet here today.

Mr Dullo said the ruling Congress would begin another phase of mass contact prgramme from January 2 with the help of two lakh activists in rural segments who were issued identity cards by the party. The mass contact programme would continue till January 10, he added.

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