Ambala, Haryana: In response to the attachment of property belonging to Naraingarh Sugar Mills, a group of farmers staged a dharna (sit-in protest) outside the SDM office in Naraingarh, expressing their concern and issuing a warning of a more significant agitation if their pending dues were not promptly cleared, reported Tribune India.
Organized under the banners of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) and Samyukta Kisan Mazdoor Inquilab Union, the farmers participated in the dharna from 10 am to 5 pm. They raised slogans in support of their demand, emphasizing the need for the state government to ensure the expeditious payment of farmers’ dues.
Dharm Vir Dhindsa, leader of Samyukta Kisan Mazdoor Inquilab Union, expressed the farmers’ frustration, stating, “Farmers are forced to demonstrate as they have no option to resolve their issue. The attachment of the sugar mill’s property is a serious matter taking note that the mill is yet to clear cane dues worth Rs 100 crore which includes around Rs 50 crore of outstanding payments from the previous season. ”
Concerned about potential delays in their dues due to the mill’s poor financial condition and property attachment, Dhindsa announced plans for another dharna on Thursday to further press their demands. He indicated that a decision on additional actions would be taken during the protest.
Earlier this week, certain farmer unions held a meeting with the SDM to address the issue, urging the government to clear the dues with interest. Gurnam Singh, chief of BKU (Charuni), who participated in the meeting, conveyed, “We have highlighted the concerns of sugarcane farmers and stressed that their dues must be settled under any circumstance, along with interest. Simultaneously, we appeal to the farmers not to disrupt supply to the mills, ensuring the continuous crushing of sugarcane and subsequent clearance of dues following the sale of sugar stocks.”
