Chandigarh, Sep 2 (IANS) Thousands of farmers under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union-BKU (Ugrahan) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) have started a protest against the Bhagwant Mann government of Punjab. Thousands of farmers have sat on dharna due to the failure of the Punjab government to implement the agricultural policy.
Farmers associated with the Bharatiya Kisan Union-BKU will march towards the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to express their protest against the Punjab government. The monsoon session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha is starting from Monday (September 2), which will last for three days.
Farmers associated with the United Kisan Morcha have gathered at the ground located in Sector-34 of Chandigarh. A Mahapanchayat (farmers’ conference) will be organized here. The administration has allowed the protesting farmers to protest at the camp site itself.
According to the plan of the farmers, all the farmers can camp here till September 5. During this time they will decide their future strategy.
Apart from the agriculture policy, the demands of the farmers include delay in distribution of land to landless labourers and farmers and loan waiver of farmers and labourers.
Along with this, the contract workers union will also join the farmers’ rallies. A faction of the Democratic Teachers Front will also join these rallies to support the ‘Kheti Niti Morcha’ (agricultural policy).
“We are demanding promotion of chemical-free crops, compensation to the families of farmers who committed suicide and curbing the drug menace in the state,” said Lachhman Singh Sewewala, general secretary of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union.
BKU general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said, “Farmers will march towards the Assembly to submit a memorandum regarding their demands to the chief minister and opposition leaders.”
Meanwhile, Chandigarh Police has issued a traffic advisory. They have advised people to avoid the routes associated with the farmers’ protest. They said, “Apart from the Regional Passport Office, the roads leading to Sector 34, the protest site, coaching institutes and some private hospitals may face traffic jams throughout the day, so avoid going on these routes.”
–IANS
FM/KR
