Massive tractor rally taken out by farmers

Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 14

Farmers and activists of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Lakhowal, on Monday took out a massive tractor rally through the city protesting against the Centre over not heeding their demands to roll back the three farm laws.

Led by district president of the union Jaswant Singh Singhpur, the farmers launched protest from Nakodar and entered the city via Lambra. Hundreds of tractors were part of the rally that had first stopover at the residence of BJP MP Hans Raj Hans. Raising slogans outside his residence and flaying him for not standing with the farmers, the agitators moved towards the BSF Chowk and took Ladowali Road before having their next halt outside the place of ex-BJP minister Manoranjan Kalia.

The farmers braved cold winds as they moved on before raising slogans against him for not standing with them. Then, they returned to Nakodar and surrounding rural areas, their starting point this morning.

Meanwhile, All India Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association Punjab also participated in the agitation to support farmers against the implementation of agri laws. Led by president Col Balbir Singh, they also joined the farmers in front of the DC office. Several government offices also expressed their solidarity with the agitating farming community.

Protests outside DAC

Hoshiarpur: Laying a siege, the farmers staged a massive district-level protest outside the District Administrative Complex (DAC), Hoshiarpur, demanding repeal of the three agricultural laws and Electricity Amendment Bill. A large number of farmers from different villages of the district riding tractor-trolleys, buses, cars and other vehicles participated in the rally that went out in the city before the dharna.

The farmers first gathered at Roshan ground in morning, from where the rally was taken out, passing through various bazaars and roads and reached the DAC. During the rally, farmers raised slogans against the central government and held banners depicting their demands. Gurdeep Singh Khun Khun of Environment Struggle Committee, Harpal Singh Sangha and Ranjit Singh of Azad Kisan Committee Doaba, Parminder Singh, Om Singh Satiana and other spokespersons said the struggle will continue till the laws are repealed. The protests will continue and every decision taken by the ‘Sanyukt Kisan Morcha’ will be implemented. They alleged that the Union ministers and BJP leaders of the Modi government are trying to discredit and divide the struggle, but they will not succeed. “There is no point in ending this struggle without repealing the law and that the decision of the leaders of the agitating farmers’ organisations in Delhi on the next course of action would be taken into consideration and if the government persists, the struggle would be intensified,” they said. Members of various labour, employees, religious and social organisations and others were part of the dharna.

Also, a massive gate rally was held at Hoshiarpur depot at the call of the Joint Action Committee of Punjab Roadways / PUNBUS employees after which they joined the protest in front of the Mini Secretariat. They raised slogans against the Union government and voiced similar sentiments, cessation of globalisation, privatisation and exploitation of the common man, abolition of contract system and sought regular recruitment in government agencies.