Thousands of farmers and farm laborers, under the banners of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) Ugrahan and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), gathered in Chandigarh on Monday to protest against the Punjab government’s failure to implement the agriculture policy.
Farmers from BKU (Ugrahan) plan to march toward the Punjab Legislative Assembly, which begins its three-day monsoon session today. They intend to lodge their protest directly at the assembly.
Meanwhile, SKM members, who have also assembled at the Sector 34 ground—the city’s central hub—will hold a ‘mahapanchayat’ (farmers’ convention) later in the day.
Protesters, representing both BKU (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, have been granted permission to stage their protest at the camping site. They plan to remain there until September 5, when they will decide on their future course of action.
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The farmers’ demands include the implementation of the agriculture policy, timely land distribution to landless laborers, and debt waivers for farmers and laborers. Contractual employees’ unions and a faction of the Democratic Teachers’ Front will join the rallies in support of the “Kheti Niti Morcha” (agriculture policy).
In addition, SKM has called for fair distribution of canal water across Punjab and the resumption of trade with Pakistan through the Wagah and Hussainiwala borders.
Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union General Secretary Lachhman Singh Sewewala emphasized the need for promoting chemical-free crops, compensating the families of farmers who committed suicide, and addressing the state’s drug problem.
BKU (Ugrahan) General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan stated that the farmers will march to the Vidhan Sabha to hand over a memorandum of their demands to the Chief Minister and Opposition leaders.
In response to the protests, Chandigarh Police issued a traffic advisory, warning residents to avoid certain routes. Significant traffic is likely to jam the roads leading to Sector 34, a key area with coaching institutes, private hospitals, and the Regional Passport Office.
