Farmers block roads, rly tracks in Tarn Taran

Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, September 25

The ‘Punjab Band’ call evoked a massive response in the border district on Friday. The protest call by farmer organisations was supported by all sections of society, including government employees.

Farmers organised dharnas, took out rallies and blocked railway tracks to protest against the Bills. The National Highway (NH) 54 was blocked at many places in the district.

Most roads wore a deserted look. Shops and commercial establishments downed shutters. Patti MLA Harminder Singh Gill, addressing a protest at Rasulpur village, said the Bills were anti-farmers and would break the backbone of the people of the state. “The Congress would not allow the nefarious designs of the anti-Punjab forces to succeed,” he said.

Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, took out a march in the town and burnt an effigy of the Union Government. Kanwalpreet Singh Pannu, state convener of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, led the protesters who blocked the NH-54 at Naushehra Pannun village. Workers of the Combine Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, too lodged their protest against the Bills.

Activists of the Zamhoori Kisan Sabha, Punjab Kisan Sabha, Azad Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, Kisan Sangharsh Committee blocked the railway tracks in protest against the laws. Pargat Singh Jamarai and other leaders of mass organisations addressed the protesters.

A complete shutdown was observed in towns such as Patti, Bhikhiwind, Khemkaran, Chabal, Sarai Amanat Khan, Khalra, Valtoha, Rattoke, Varnala, Ghariala, Harike, Chohal Sahib, Sarhali, Naushehra Pannuan, Sheron and Dhotian villages, among others places.

Members of radical Sikh organisations led by Harpal Singh Balehar of the SAD (Amritsar) took out a march in the town against the agrarian Bills.

Heavy police force was deployed at sensitive places in the district. The district administration heaved a sigh of relief as the band went off peacefully.