Farmers in Punjab announced on Saturday that their protests against the government, demanding timely paddy procurement and addressing various issues, will continue. A “chakka jam” (road blockade) is set to take place in Sangrur, Bhatinda, Moga, Batala, and Gurdaspur.
Additionally, farmers are protesting police actions taken against them for stubble burning.
Aranjeet Singh, district president of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (PKMSC), stated that farmers will gather in Phagwara to discuss state-wide concerns.
“Both the Punjab and central governments need to find a timely solution to prevent inconveniences caused by road blockades. We don’t want ordinary people to suffer. However, if the government fails to act, we will be compelled to block the roads,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, farmers from Jaladhar joined other protestors heading to the Phagwara site to block the highway.
Commenting on the actions taken against farmers regarding stubble burning, a senior farm leader noted that pollution from factories and vehicles is rarely addressed, while stubble burning is often emphasized.
“They have targeted farmers under the pretext of stubble burning. The pollution results from many vehicles and factories, and stubble burning contributes only two to three percent to pollution levels. The emissions from industries and traffic are ignored. Stubble burning is merely used to tarnish the farmers’ reputation, which is unjust. Both the Punjab and central governments aim to undermine farmers, which is why our protests will continue indefinitely. We will travel from Amritsar to Phagwara to block the roads,” the farm leader asserted.
Earlier, PKMSC General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that protests would be organized at four locations at 1 PM this afternoon, criticizing the Punjab government for its lack of transparency regarding rice stocks still in storage from the past two years.
“The rice stocks from the last two years remain in the godowns, and rice millers are unwilling to absorb the losses,” he said, pointing out the government’s failure to be open about the situation.
“Kejriwal tweets about everything but hasn’t addressed the issue of paddy procurement. Punjabis have given him a significant mandate, yet he hasn’t attempted to engage with the central government to resolve this matter,” Pandher added.
The roadblocks, or “chakka jam,” will take place at four locations, including Sangrur, Moga, Phagwara, and Batala. Phul indicated that the blockade would persist indefinitely if their demands are not met. (ANI)
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