Amid growing concerns over the reports of more than 100 persons from Punjab who have been missing in the Delhi-Haryana region since the Republic Day tractor rally, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday announced the helpline number 112 to report all such instances. 70 lawyers were also appointed by the state AG on his directive to provide free legal aid to the farmers facing cases in the national capital.
Promising all possible help to trace the missing persons, the Chief Minister said that his cabinet colleagues had met the Union Home Minister about the issue and he would personally take up the cases of these missing persons/farmers with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Our hearts are with those fighting for their rights at the Delhi borders,” said the Chief Minister, appealing to the people of Punjab to immediately dial 112 to report any case of a person who went missing during the tractor rally, even if no cases had been filed with regard to such persons so far.
“We will do everything possible to locate those who are missing. We are trying to get details and will ensure that they return to their homes,” said the Punjab CM during a virtual event attended by the sarpanch of various villages, who expressed concern over the issue. Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar urged the Chief Minister to help the farmers facing legal cases in the national capital, in response to which the latter said that he had already directed Advocate General Atul Nanda to arrange for legal aid.
Nanda later disclosed that he had arranged for as many as 70 lawyers to extend all help to the farmers against whom cases have been filed by the Delhi Police in the wake of the Republic Day violence.