Punjab BKU Ugrahan announces 5-day agitation in front of DC offices; wants pending demands resolved

Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Barnala, December 17

Amid discussions of future plans by other farmer groups, the largest farmer union of Punjab BKU Ugrahan on Friday announced to protest in front of all Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices from December 20 to 24 for their pending demands.

The Friday announcement comes as a surprise for many as after the end of the protest on Delhi borders, where BKU Ugrahan kept Tikri border blocked for more than a year, union members had reached their homes some days back.

BKU Ugrahan leaders say since elections are approaching fast, they do not want to waste time by discussing their future course of action about any political activity and want to push their energy to pressurise government for quick action for the demands of farmers.

“We have decided to protest for five days in front of DC offices as despite repeated claims, Punjab government has not fulfilled our many demands. We have already clarified that we are here to fight for farmers’ rights and not for any politics. We would not support any political party and our members are free to vote for any party they want,” said Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of BKU Ugrahan, after a state-level meeting at Bhotna village of the district.

Their main demands include Rs 17,000 per acre financial aid to farmers, who have suffered crop losses and its 10 per cent payment to labourers, guarantee of Rs 360 per quintal of sugarcane from each sugar mill, Rs 3 lakh financial aid to families of labourers and farmers, who have died by suicide and complete debt waiver to them and a government job, cancellation of FIRs registered against protesting farmers, Rs 5 lakh financial aid to farmers and labourers, who died during New Delhi agitation and a government job to their families and quick release of tubewell connections to farmers.

“The farmers are already in agitation mode and they have only taken a rest of few days. We have decided our agitation plan as per the demand of farmers,” said Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, general secretary of BKU (Ugrahan).

The other demands include registration of an FIR against police officials, who allegedly cane-charged protesting unemployed teachers during the Mansa rally of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi some days back, rollback of hike in toll plaza charges and adequate supply of Urea.