Farmers all set, say participation in protest voluntary | Medical services to remain unaffectedBharat bandh from 6am to 4pm today

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 26

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has called farmers to remain peaceful and calm during the Bharat bandh call on Monday.

The bandh, which would involve road blocks, closure of shops and rail route blocks from 6am to 4pm, would certainly disrupt public life.

While 32 farmer unions, which are a part of SKM, have not announced to block rail traffic, the Kisan Sangharsh Committee has announced to block different railway lines.

The farmer leaders said the ongoing protest at the Delhi borders have completed 10 months and the Central Government under the pressure of corporate houses was adamant on not repealing the three controversial agriculture laws.

Joining hands with farmers, the arthiyas and labourers at the grain markets in the district have also decided to participate in the protest and keep grain markets closed. Apart from this, shopkeepers, factory workers and many from other sections of society would be joining, the farmer leaders said.

Rattan Singh Randhawa, a farmer leader, said: “Medical services will remain unaffected. We have instructed our volunteers to make passage for all patients, including emergency cases, at road block sites, so that they can get treatment. We have also asked them not to force anyone if someone wants to open a shop.” He said participation in the bandh was voluntary and not forced.

Farmers would be setting up road blocks on roads to Attari, Chogawan, Majitha, Ajnala, Rayya, Beas, Mehta, Tarn Taran and other destinations. The SKM leaders have appealed to the general public to participate in the protest to make it successful.

Meanwhile, the Kisan Sangharsh Committee (KSC), which is not a part of the SKM, too, has announced to block rail and road traffic at 30 points in the district. KSC leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said traffic would be blocked at the Golden Gate, Devidaspura railway crossing, Butala, Mehta Chowk, Udoke, Adda Tahli Saab, Saido Lehal, Bandala, Jaintipur, Chamiari, Ram Tirath, Khasa, Lopoke, Kathunangal railway crossing and Batala railway line among other places. The KSC members, too, have announced not to disrupt medical services. They also took out a march at the Hall Gate area on Sunday and appealed to shopkeepers to cooperate with farmers.