Amritsar: SKM flays police action, begins protest at BJP leaders’ houses

Amritsar, February 20

Farmers under the banner of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) began a three-day protest in front of the residences of local BJP leaders, Amarpal Singh Boney and Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, from today. Meanwhile, the three toll plazas —- Kathunangal on Amritsar-Gurdaspur national highway, Chiddan on Amritsar-Attari highway and Manawala on Amritsar-Attari route have also been made free for commuters by the farmers for the past four days.

Hundreds of farmers demonstrated in front of the houses of BJP leaders Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and Amarpal Singh Boney Ajnala in Ranjit Avenue following a call given by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Jatinder Singh Chhina of Kirti Kisan Union said that lobbing tear gas shells, torturing and stopping farmers from going toward Delhi by the Haryana government was a highly condemnable act. He said that the Constitution of the country allows people to protest peacefully for their rightful demands, but the government was violating the Constitution by oppressing the farmers.

“The farmers demonstrated in Delhi several times during the past decades but no government stopped them by using this much force. The farmers are demanding legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) by enacting a law, debt waiver, implementation of Swaminathan Commission report and restoring of subsidies on fertilisers and pesticides. But the government is not ready,” said Chinna.

The farmers while demonstrating outside the houses of BJP leaders also demanded proper management of stray animals, setting up of agro-based industries, supply of 16 essential commodities through depots, end to privatisation and enhancing of pension amount to Rs 10,000 per month for the disabled, widows and old persons.