Farmers continue protests at CM’s hometown, Badal village

Tribune News Service

Patiala/Muktsar, September 16

On the second day of their six-day protest, thousands of farmers today continued with their sit-in at the PUDA ground and raised slogans against the Central and state governments for their “anti-farmer policies” and “failure to address the genuine issues of the farming community”.

Farmer unions vowed not to allow corporate officials to enter grain markets and purchase anything. The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) held a protest march in the Patiala. “Capt Amarinder Singh had promised a loan waiver to all farmers. The Congress government is left with a little over a year and still there are no signs of any waiver,” said Joginder Singh Ugrahan, a senior farmer leader.

Farmer leaders alleged that the Central Government was hell bent on handing over the entire farming sector to big multi-nationals, which would eventually destroy shopkeepers, arhtiyas and the farming community.

In Muktsar too, there was no let-up in the farmers’ stir at Badal village, even though the SAD, an ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, voted against a contentious farm Bill on Tuesday. The farmers sought immediate revocation of all contentious Bills. The farmers have pitched a tent close to the residence of Badals. They have even made a stage, organising revolutionary plays and singing songs. Besides, a community kitchen has been set up. The protesters alleged that the power supply was snapped at the dharna site last night.

A large number of cops are presently deployed at Badal village and barricades have been put up to prevent protesters from moving towards the Badals’ residence.

The Muktsar police have registered three cases against farmers for blocking roads and protesting at Mahuana and Udekaran villages and Malout town on Tuesday. Notably, the farmers protesting at Badal village haven’t been booked yet.

Call for ‘Punjab bandh’ on Sept 25

Chandigarh: As many as 10 farmer organisations on Wednesday said they would observe ‘Punjab Bandh’ on September 25. The decision was taken in a meeting held in Ludhiana, which was attended by Jamhuri Kisan Sabha, Kirti Kisan Union, BKU (Dakonda), Krantikari Kisan Union, Punjab Kisan Sabha, All-India Kisan Sabha, Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Azad Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Jai Kisan Andolan, Punjab Kisan Sabha Sambar and All-India Kisan Sabha (Punnawal).