Pathanmajra Village Rejects Police Firing Claims, FIR Filed Against Personnel Amidst Escalating Farmer Protests

A deep chasm has opened between official accounts and local testimonies in the ongoing saga of farmer protests, particularly following a contentious incident in Pathanmajra village. Haryana Police claimed their personnel were fired upon by protesting farmers, a narrative vehemently rejected by villagers who assert it was the police who opened fire on them.

This stark divergence has led to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against several police personnel, marking a significant turn in the fraught relationship between authorities and the farming community.

The incident, which transpired amidst the larger ‘Delhi Chalo’ march by farmers, saw police alleging that protesters had unleashed violence, including an attack with sharp-edged weapons and firing at officers.

However, residents of Pathanmajra village paint a dramatically different picture. They unanimously deny any aggression from their side, particularly refuting the claim that bullets were fired at law enforcement. Instead, villagers accuse the police of unprovoked aggression, including the discharge of firearms into the crowd.

Multiple villagers have stepped forward, claiming to possess evidence of police firing.

Some point to bullet marks on walls and trees, while others recall the terrifying sound of gunshots echoing through their peaceful hamlet. “No one from our village fired a single bullet at the police. It was the police who resorted to firing directly at us,” stated a local elder, reflecting the collective sentiment of the community.

These testimonies stand in stark contrast to the police’s version, raising serious questions about the impartiality of initial reports.

Responding to the complaints lodged by Pathanmajra residents, a formal FIR has been registered against police personnel at the Sadar Thanesar police station.

The charges are grave, including attempted murder (Section 307 of the IPC), rioting, illegal assembly, and other sections pertaining to unlawful use of force. This development underscores the gravity of the allegations and the legal recourse villagers are pursuing to challenge the state's narrative.

The backdrop to this incident is the broader farmer agitation demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other concessions.

The movement has seen significant clashes between protesters and police, with authorities often using tear gas, water cannons, and lathi-charges to disperse gatherings. The Pathanmajra episode, however, introduces a new dimension with direct accusations of police firing and subsequent legal action against the force, escalating the already tense situation.

As investigations commence, the focus will be on corroborating the conflicting accounts and establishing the truth.

The credibility of both the police force and the villagers is at stake, and the outcome of this inquiry will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the ongoing farmer protests and the public's trust in law enforcement. The Pathanmajra incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of public demonstrations and the critical need for transparent and impartial justice.