Dharnas leave highways blocked

On the call given by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a large number of farmers staged a dharna on the national highway near the local grain market for over three hours from 11 am as a result of which traffic came to a standstill.

Vehicles were seen stuck on both sides of the roads for quite a long distance. While addressing on the occasion, Pargat Singh Jamarai, Amritpal Singh Jaura, Nachhattar Singh, Balbir Singh Jhamka and Harjinder Singh Tanda and other leaders of different farmer unions condemned the state government and the Union Government for not resolving the tangle.

The leaders said no space has been vacated to store paddy in rice-shellers and in godowns. The leaders said the farmers were not given the MSP on the paddy whereas the prices of basmati have come down to Rs 2,000 per quintal and farmers feel as if they have been cheated by the government.

The leaders said it has been almost a month since the state government had announced to start paddy procurement and at that time, the process had not been started.

They alleged that owing to the negligent attitude of the government, the sowing of the next crop must be delayed, which would further affect the yield.

The agitating farmers marched up to the office of the District Mandi Officer and apprised him of the problems of the area farmers.