Farmers from region all set for Delhi chalo

Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh/ Payal/ Raikot, July 17

Office-bearers and activists of various organisations supporting the ongoing farmers’ protest at Delhi borders have started preparing for the scheduled protest outside Parliament from July 22, as announced by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha. Meetings are being organised at villages falling under Ludhiana and Malerkotla districts.

Baldev Singh Latala, state executive member of All-India Kisan Sabha, who presided over the meeting at Latala village in Ludhiana district, said office-bearers of various wings of the outfit had already prepared lists of farmers and farm labourers who have volunteered to participate in the dharna in front of Parliament, scheduled to commence on July 22. He said activists had also been updated about precautions to be taken during the scheduled dharna. “As advised by coordinators and planners of the dharna, we have decided to ensure that groups of farmers reach Delhi borders regularly and lists of activists participating in dharna on any particular day are prepared by coordinators of the event,” said Latala.

The Morcha has decided not to allow uncontrolled gathering at the dharna site on any single day. Though the final number of protesters to be allowed to sit on dharna daily is yet to be ascertained, the organisers would not allow more than 500 farmers at the dharna site at any time, Latala added.

Saudagar Singh Ghudani, Ludhiana district general secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) said farmer localities falling under Payal segment were enthusiastic about participating in the proposed dharna. “Seeing the enthusiasm of farmers, we have started sending date-wise lists of activists willing to participate in the scheduled event so that organisers at Delhi borders can regulate the number of participants in the dharna,” said Ghudani.