Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher was detained by Punjab Police on Monday for allegedly violating Covid-19 guidelines during a protest. Pandher, a prominent figure in the farmers’ movement against the new agricultural laws, was taken into custody while leading a demonstration in Amritsar. The police claimed that Pandher and his supporters were not adhering to social distancing norms and other Covid-19 protocols. The arrest sparked outrage among farmers’ groups, who condemned the police action as an attempt to suppress their peaceful protest. The farmers have been demanding the repeal of the controversial farm laws passed by the Indian government last year. The protest led by Pandher was part of the ongoing agitation against the laws, which farmers argue will hurt their livelihoods and benefit big corporations. The detention of Pandher comes amid escalating tensions between the government and farmers, with several rounds of talks failing to resolve the deadlock. The farmers have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met. The arrest of Pandher is likely to further fuel the agitation and could lead to more widespread demonstrations across the country. The farmers’ movement has gained widespread support in India, with many political parties and civil society groups backing their cause. The detention of Pandher is seen as a provocative move by the authorities and is likely to intensify the standoff between the government and the farmers.