Arrest Warrants Issued For 25 Farmers In 2022 PM Modi Security Breach Case In Punjab, BKU Calls It Political Targeting

A Ferozepur court has issued arrest warrants for 25 members of the Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari) and Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union in connection with the 5 January 2022, security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab.

The accused include union leaders such as Baldev Singh Zira and others, with one of the initially named individuals, Major Singh, now deceased.

The case stems from protests staged on the Piareana flyover, which forced the Prime Minister’s convoy to turn back to Bathinda airport. The accused failed to appear in court despite multiple summons, prompting the court to direct their arrest by 22 January.

Escalation of Charges
Initially, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 283 (obstruction in a public way), a bailable offense.

However, following pressure from BJP leaders, a three-member SIT revised the charges, adding serious sections like IPC 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (assault on a public servant), 341 (wrongful restraint), and others. The National Highway Act's Section 8-B was also invoked.

Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Randhir Kumar confirmed that raids are being conducted to apprehend the accused, with investigations ongoing.

Farmers’ Response
Union leaders, including Surjeet Singh Phul of BKU Krantikari, have alleged that the arrests are politically motivated and directed by the central government.

Phul stated, “The attempt-to-murder charges are baseless, as no confrontation occurred. This is being done at the behest of the central government to target protesting farmers.”

Phul emphasised that the protest was peaceful and aligned with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s call, rejecting claims of any aggression on the flyover. Farmers also alleged harassment, with police pressuring family members to compel the accused to join the investigation.

The 2022 Incident
On 5 January 2022, Prime Minister Modi was traveling to Hussainiwala to pay tribute to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, and to lay the foundation stone for a PGI satellite center in Ferozepur. Heavy rains and low rally attendance marked the day.

Due to weather conditions, the PM chose road travel instead of a helicopter but was met with a blockade by farmers at the Piareana flyover, forcing him to return without attending any scheduled events.