BATHINDA/CHANDIGARH: Punjab farmers’ march to Chandigarh following Samyukt Kisan Morcha‘s (SKM) call for a week-long protest from March 5 was headed off at multiple points by police, largely restricting the protesters to their districts.
The farmers, who moved towards Chandigarh on tractor-trolleys and other vehicles on Wednesday, were stopped on various highways.
Chandigarh police, too, put up barricades at Chandigarh-Mohali border points to prevent the protesting farmers from entering the city. Security was also increased at these points, with police personnel checking vehicles, especially buses.
Many farmer union representatives, including Joginder Singh Ugrahan, were detained and later released. SKM strongly condemned AAP govt headed by Bhagwant Mann for detaining octogenarian union representatives, including Ugrahan, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Ruldu Singh Mansa, and demanded an apology.
SKM said thousands of farmers started protests on roads at more than 35 centres, as they were prevented by police from going to Chandigarh. They claimed more than 15,000 farmers had joined the protests across the state, despite the arrest and detention of nearly 350 farm activists the previous day.
Countering Punjab CM Mann’s remarks blaming farmer associations for making Punjab a “state of dharnas”, SKM said farmers did not block road or rail traffic. The traffic blockades in Chandigarh and across the state were not because of the farmers’ struggle, but the unwarranted restrictions imposed by Punjab Police and administration, SKM said. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha burnt Punjab chief minister’s effigies in Amritsar to protest the police action.
Dallewal completes 100 days of fast:
SKM (Non-Political) representative Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Wednesday completed 100 days of his fast unto death in support of farmers’ demands, especially with regard to MSP. In a statement to mark the day, Dallewal reiterated his resolve to continue his agitation and urged central govt to accept farmers’ demands. Mostly confined to his makeshift chamber on Khanauri-Data Singh Wala border of Punjab and Haryana during these three months, Dallewal had participated in talks with Union ministers on Feb 14 and 22. Over the past few days, Dallewal has not come out of the chamber as his blood pressure has been fluctuating. His fast has also affected the functioning of his kidneys.
