Good response to bandh call at Sahnewal, Doraha

Lovleen Bains

Sahnewal/Doraha,

September 27

Activities in Sahnewal, Doraha and Kohara came to a complete halt today as kisan unions, supported by local and regional fronts, organisations and associations gathered at designated sites to mark one year of the three contentious laws since these were passed by the Centre. All government and private offices, educational institutions, shops, industries and commercial establishments remained closed even as emergency services were allowed to operate as usual.

National highways and service lanes were entirely blocked, but the bandh was observed in a peaceful manner. Routine life was no doubt disrupted as the people had to cancel their important inter-state, national and international visits, medical appointments and land deals etc and sit at homes helplessly.

Residents of Doraha, Sahnewal, Kohara and the surrounding areas stood firmly by farmers and supported the bandh call in true letter and spirit. They said forcible passing of farm bills by the Central Government was not only fatal for farmers, but for employees, labourers, pensioners and public too. Each and every section of society joined hands with sons of the soil to protest against the three farm laws of the Central Government.

The Government Pensioners Association, Pensioners Association Powercom, Technical Services Union, BEd Adhyapak Front, Anganwadi Workers Union, All Traders Union of Sahnewal and Doraha, Rampur Writers Association, Youth Forum Doraha, Ambulance Welfare Society, Patwar Union, Bharatiya Yog Sansthan, Artiya Association, Association of Unaided College Teachers of Punjab, Punjab Educationists Forum, surrounding villages of Doraha, Sahnewal and Samrala, actively collaborated with kisan unions to fight against the three anti-farmer bills tooth and nail.

BKU (Kadian) district president Hardeep Singh Giaspura, BKU Ekta (Ugrahan) general secretary Saudagar Singh Ghudani, BKU Punjab Jagjit Singh, BKU (Sidhupur) Gurjeet Singh and Kulvir Singh, BKU (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Government Pensioners Association president Pawan Kumar Kaushal, BEd Adhyapak Front secretary Vikramjeet Singh, Government Pensioners Association secretary Tarsem Lal, TSU Power Com president Jaswinder Singh, Artiya Association Doraha president SP Verma, All Traders Union Doraha president Rajbir Singh Roobal, Punjab Educationists Forum general secretary Dr Kuldeep Singh Kalsi, Gurdwara Langar Sahib Kaar Sewa Reru Sahib Jathedar Major Singh, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha Raghuveer Singh Benipal, Doraha Anganwadi Union block president Sunita Rani, All Traders Union Sahnewal president Manjinder Singh Bhola, former Sarpanch Baldev Singh Daburjee and Kisan activist Harmindar Singh Jaspal Bangar were among those, who addressed gatherings at Doraha, Sahnewal, Tibba Pull, Kohara and Ghulal toll plaza.

Together they pressed upon the Modi government to take back the three contentious farm laws before it was too late. “Nothing can be more unfortunate than the fact that thousands of farmers have died and thousands have been bereaved in the fight against these three contentious laws. But more the sacrifice, more are we enthused with the spirit of resistance, confrontation and hostility towards the system, which is both deaf and dumb,” said speakers.

“Victory shall be ours at the end as no government, however, strong it may be, can suppress the people’s voice, which is gaining momentum with each passing day,” speakers added.

The situation remained under control and no untoward incident was reported from the area. The Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gursharandeep Singh, said special police force was deployed to ensure law and order at places of protest. “The situation remained peaceful,” the SSP added.