JALANDHAR: The Punjab Police raided houses and hideouts of half a dozen farm leaders in Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, across Nurmahal, Phillaur, and other areas.
Prime Minister Narandra Modi is scheduled to address a public meeting one in Gurdaspur at 3.30 pm and another in Jalandhar at 5.30 pm.
Despite claims by DIG (border) Rakesh Kaushal that no raids were taking place, the police reached the houses of leaders late night and in the wee hours of Friday.
However, the leaders were kept abreast by their informers in the police following, which they managed to escape.
In Jalandhar, BKU Ekta Sidhpur Jalandhar president Kulwinder Singh Machiana was arrested from his house this morning.
He was taken to the Jandiala police station. The union’s district general secretary has also been arrested.
Police have also been deputed outside the house of Kirti Kisan Union district president Santokh Singh Sandhu but he had left his house already.
Farmers are to begin gathering for a protest at Jalandhar between 2.30-3 pm. Before that, they are trying to evade arrest.