All set for mega rally against farm laws in Barnala today

Vishav Bharti
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 20

Barnala gears up to witness one of the biggest protest rallies ever organised by any farmer union in Punjab.

The rally against three farm laws is being organised by the BKU (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union tomorrow. The organisations claim it is to be attended by over two lakh people at Barnala’s grain market. “One person needs at least four square feet, so we have laid mats on nine lakh square feet,” says Sukhdev Singh Kokri, general secretary of the union.

Apart from that four acres near the dais have been reserved for tea langar preparation. “Instead of serving at one place, we will try to serve tea among the people sitting in the venue,” said Kokri.

He said it was not possible to make arrangements for food, so they have asked people to bring their food along. “Some villages may arrange langar as well,” he said.

There will be around 1,000 volunteers who will help for the success of the rally. The organisations are expecting 6,000 vehicles, which will ferry people to the venue.The district administration is concerned about the traffic management. The union has deputed around 300 volunteers for the smooth movement of vehicles and parking. Apart from that, 400 have been deputed for the security of the stage and serving water and tea to people attending the ‘maha rally’.

The Barnala police are on their toes to make arrangements for the smooth movement of traffic. Police officials from outside districts have also been called. The traffic is to be managed by six SPs and 12 DSPs and 300 constables. The police have prepared a special map for traffic diversions.

Senior vice-president of the union Jhanda Singh Jaithuke said the rally was to be attended by people from 1,600 Malwa villages. “We are expecting 70,000 people from Sangrur district alone and around 50,000 from Barnala. There will be a huge participation of women,” he said.