Farm women stage protest outside house of BJP MP

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 8

The women farmers staged a protest outside the residence of BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Shwait Malik in large numbers on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Monday.

The protest was organised on the call of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha spearheading the agitation against the three controversial agriculture related laws at Delhi borders. Standing in solidarity with the farmers, the women stated that the present government was ignoring the interests of the wider sections of society to benefit a few corporate houses.

Women shouted slogans against the Centre and besides demanding the repeal of the three laws, asked the government to ensure safety of girls and women. They demanded that no political party should give tickets to persons involved in sexual crimes.

A separate function to mark the day was organised by Janwadi Istari Sabha associated with All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) at Choghawan town near here. Kawaljit Kaur of AIDWA said, “A large number of women from the economically backward sections, who work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, have been facing problems due to the gender issues.” She said they also handed over a memorandum to the local administration in this regard. Later, the women took out a march in the markets of the town.

Poor oppose hike in platform ticket price

The farmers’ associations, united under the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, have announced to protest against the handing over of passenger facility management to the IRSDC during a visit of Ashutosh Gangal, general manager of the Northern Railway, at the station on March 12. The farmer leaders stated that the station has been handed over to a private company and they would oppose it with all their might. “The platform ticket has been increased to Rs 50. How would the poor masses who use railways be able to afford such high expenses,” said farmer leader Rattan Singh Randhawa.