Punjab to raise memorial to deceased farm protesters

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 19

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday announced a memorial to the farmers who died in the year-long protests against the controversial farm laws.

Channi said his government would choose the site after consulting the farmers’ unions. “The Centre’s decision to withdraw the farm laws is a victory for democracy. The memorial will have names of all those who died during the stir. It will be a tribute to the sustained movement that shook the Centre. The success is outcome of the long and zealous struggle of the farmers and will be scripted in the annals of history,” he said.

Sources said even as the Punjab Government’s move was being seen as an attempt to take credit for the success behind the farmers’ stir, the Congress had been supporting the farmers all through their movement.

Channi demanded a compensation package from the Union Government for over 700 farmer families who suffered loss of life and property. He also demanded a law guaranteeing minimum support price to farmers to be tabled in the forthcoming winter session of Parliament. “The state has already provided government jobs and Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased farmers,” he said.

He termed the Centre’s decision to repeal the laws as a much delayed but welcome step. Had the P taken this decision earlier, several precious lives would have been saved, he said. Channi asked the PM to immediately announce a financial package for farmers and labourers reeling under debt. He also asked the Centre to make its stand clear on MSP.