Unions pay homage to deceased farmers

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20

While the number of farmers who died during the Delhi protest has reached 35, people across the country paid homage to the deceased farmers today.

Jagmohan Singh, general secertary of the BKU (Dakaunda), speaking on the behalf of the Sanjyukta Kisan Morcha, said on a call given by 32 farmer organisations, people paid tributes to the deceased at 380 places in Punjab. These meetings were organised at the protest sites. He said at the national level, around 90,000 memorial meetings were organised in 22 states.

In Amritsar. as a part of farmers’ call, several social, religious, public welfare and trade organisations observed a ‘Shradhanjali Diwas’ (Homage Day) to pay tributes to farmers who lost their lives during the ongoing agitation.

The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), representing farmers from the holy city, paid homage to the departed souls at the Kundli-Singhu border. Sarwan Singh Padher, general secretary of the KMSC, said prayers were read out before the posters of around 30 persons who reportedly died during the course of the agitation. “The Modi government has been adopting tactics to justify their move but we will not rest before achieving what the ‘shaheed’ lost their lives for,” he said.

Activists of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, Bhai Ghanaiya Ji Mission Society, Hawara Committee, Sri Sukhmani Sahib Sewa Society, Voice of Amritsar, Mission Aagaaz, Sri Akhand Path Sahib Society, Mata Kaula ji Bhalai Society and Amritsar Vikar Manch demanded repeal of the farm laws. Dhan Dhan Baba Deep Singh Lok Sewa Society activists held protests by putting iron chains around their necks. They alleged the Centre had framed these laws to rob farmers of their land and profession at the hand of corporate houses.

Similar events were also held in Sangrur and Barnala districts. “In the coming days, we will launch an agitation for financial compensation and government jobs to the families of the victims,” said Bhupinder Singh Longowal, a leader of the Kirti Kisan Union.

Meanwhile, bhog was performed in the memory of Balbir Singh, 57, who died in a road accident on December 12 while on way back from Delhi, at his native Bagga Kalan village in Ajnala.