Chandigarh, January 20, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
First turbaned Sikh member of parliament of the United Kingdom, Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, on Tuesday raised the issue of National Investigation Agency (NIA) sending notices to a number of people who are associated with the farmers’ andolan at New Delhi in India.
Putting a question to foreign minister in the parliament Dhesi said more than 100 members of the House of Commons have already signed and sent a cross-party letter to the UK prime minister Boris Johnson about “our anxieties for the peacefully protesting farmers in India and we await eagerly his response”.
“It is extremely concerning to hear alarming reports of harassment and intimidation by the authorities there who have started issuing notices to peaceful protesters union leaders and human rights activists”, said Tan Dhesi.
In reply to Dhesi’s question, secretary of state for foreign, Dominic Raab, informed that he understood MP’s concern and had discussed the farmers’ issue with Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar when he visited India in December last year.
Raab added “This is a government led major reform reducing subsidies as a part of liberalisation process but he makes some important points about freedom of protest and the sensitivity.
Over 100 MPs signed cross-party letter to PM about our anxieties for India #FarmersProtest.
But it’s alarming to now hear reports of intimidation and harassment by authorities there, who’ve started issuing notices to peaceful protesters, union leaders and human rights activists. pic.twitter.com/Jh9r0RWwYj
— Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (@TanDhesi) January 19, 2021
