Amritsar (Punjab) [India]: Farmers in Punjab on Saturday said that their protests against the government to press for multiple demands,including timely paddy procurement, will continue and a chakka jam will be organised in Sangrur, Bhatinda, Moga, Batala, and Gurdaspur in the State.
The farmers have also been protesting against police actions against farmers for stubble burning.
Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (PKMSC) district president Aranjeet Singh said that they will gather in Phagwada over the issues concerning farmers of the State.
“Both the Punjab government and the central government should find a solution and resolve the issue timely so that the people do not face any problems because of road blockade (chakka jam). We don’t want commoners to face any problems. However, if the government is unable to decide anything, we will be forced to block the roads,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, farmers from Punjab’s Jaladhar joined other protestors and were seen this morning are moving towards Phagwara protest site to block the highway.
On the action taken against farmers over stubble burning, a senior farm leader said that the pollution emitted by factories and vehicles on roads is not even mentioned, but the stubble burning issue is often highlighted.
“They have taken actions (against farmers) in the name of stubble burning. The pollution is not only because of stubble burning. It also happens due to many vehicles on roads, due to factories.
Stubble burning only contributes two to three per cent to pollution levels. The pollution emitted by factories and other things is not even mentioned. Stubble burning is just an excuse to defame the farmers which is unfair. The Punjab government and the central government are alike. They just want to destroy farmers. This is why the protests will go on indefinitely. We will go to Phagwada from Amritsar and block the roads,” the farm leader said.
Earlier, PKMSC General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher informed that the protest is being organised in four locations at 1 pm this afternoon. He said that the Punjab government has not been transparent about the rice stock from the last two years that is still in godowns.
“The rice stock from last two years is still in the godowns and the rice millers say that they are not ready to bear the loss,” he said while taking a dig at the Punjab government for not being transparent about the same issue before the public.
“Kejriwal tweets on everything, but hasn’t posted on the issue of paddy procurement. Punjabis have given him such a huge mandate and despite that he has not made attempts to talk to the central government and resolve this issue,” Pandher said.
The roadblocks or the “chakka jam” will be organised at four places including Sangrur, Moga, Phagwara, and Batla. Phul said that the blockade will continue indefinitely if the demands are not met.