Farmers hold protests across Punjab

Tribune Reporters

Bathinda/Patiala, May 26

Farmers and people from various sections of society hoisted black flags atop their houses, burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government and held rallies and protest marches across the state on Wednesday, joining the ‘black day’ call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to mark the six months of their agitation at Delhi borders against the three agricultural laws.

• Also read: Protesters wave black flags along highways in Punjab
• From Amritsar to Tikri, black flags hoisted to mark six months of farmers’ agitation

In Bathinda and Mansa districts, farmers under the banner of Ugrahan, Sidhupur, Dakonda and Mansa factions of the BKU, Punjab Kisan Union and several other organisations carried out marches and burnt effigies of the Centre to express their resentment.

In a meeting held in Mansa district, Punjab Kisan Union state president Ruldu Singh Mansa warned that “if the obdurate stance of the Modi government continues, the BJP will have to face its consequences in the future elections.” He said farmers would start the mass mobilisation against the BJP.

In Patiala, protesters burnt effigies of the central government at many places, including Samana, Rajpura and the National Highway near Shambhu. The Congress, SAD and AAP extended their support to the farmers’ call. Farmers and women carrying black flags held protests and raised slogans in many villages.

In Amritsar, farmer unions organised protests on main roads of the city. They burnt effigies of corporate houses and Modi and reiterated their commitment to continue the protest until the farm laws were repealed. The effigies were burnt in rural areas also. People in the city hoisted black flags atop their homes and vehicles.

In Jalandhar, farmers under the banner of Doaba, Kadiyan and Rajewal factions of the BKU, Kirti Kisan Union, Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee, Mazdoor Ekta Sangh and other organisations held protests at various places. Nearly 200 farmers under the banner of BKU (Rajewal) assembled outside the District Administration Office to burn the effigies of PM and Home Minister Amit Shah. SAD and Congress leaders also participated in the protest. Advocates hit the roads and raised slogans against the Centre near the court complex.

A similar show of solidarity was witnessed in Ludhiana. BKU (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal said braving vagaries of weather, farmers had been protesting at Delhi borders since November 26 to get the three farm Acts revoked.

“Protesting farmers were left with no other choice but to observe the black day across the nation to wake up the Centre from its deep slumber,” he said.

Lakhowal urged the Centre to dispense justice to protesting farmers so that they could return to their fields. In Moga, farmers, social activists, political leaders and people of all age groups and from various walks of life raised black flags, carried out marches and rallies and burnt effigies of the PM Modi at 30 locations in Moga.

Farm unions burnt the PM’s effigies at the bus stand in Kishanpura Kalan, Madheke, Dagru, Rama, Khukhrana and Brahmke villages and Dharmkot town.

Farmers also burnt PM Modi’s and Shah’s effigies at Charik, Machike Talwandi Mallian, Bhagike, Kot-ise-Khan town, Bhaloor, Himmatpura, Fathegarh Panjtoor, Badhni Kalan and Alamwala villages. Protesters carried out at a tractor march at Khukhrana, Singhanwala, Rode, Badhni Kalan villages and Baghapurana town.

Members of social and teachers’ organisations in Moga city also carried black flags. BKU youth activists held motorcycle rallies in villages.

(With inputs from Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Moga)