Protest erupts over detention of social activist in Punjab, India
Faridkot: The illegal detention of social activist Shankar Sharma by the Faridkot police in Punjab, India, triggered a wave of public protests, forcing the authorities to release him last night.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Sharma, a prominent figure leading the Jal Jeevan Bachao Morcha, has been at the forefront of a campaign opposing the concrete lining of the Indira Gandhi and Sirhind Feeder canals in the district.
Residents of Faridkot and nearby villages have long argued that the practice adversely impacts the environment by preventing natural seepage of water, crucial for recharging the groundwater table—an essential source of drinking water for the community.
The morcha contends that the concrete lining disrupts the natural filtration process, potentially leading to declining groundwater levels and escalating the risk of water scarcity. Environmentalists have also voiced concerns about the impact on the local ecosystem around the canals.
According to reports, police officers detained Sharma from his home early Monday morning, prompting immediate outrage among locals. Residents quickly gathered in front of the City Police Station, chanting slogans and demanding his release.
As the crowd swelled in size, police released Sharma by 5 PM. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tarlochan Singh denied claims of illegal detention, stating, “Shankar was summoned for questioning regarding a farmers’ protest march and was later released.”
However, protesters rejected the police’s explanation, accusing them of attempting to intimidate Sharma and others involved in the morcha.
Speaking after his release, Sharma remarked, “This act of threatening and terrorising morcha members will only strengthen our resolve against the concrete lining of the canals.”
