Farmers give call for Punjab bandh on Dec 30

Farmers across the region held a dharna at railway stations and rail tracks to protest against the Central government over the use of brutal force against farmers and workers marching towards Delhi and the government’s silence on hunger strike of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal since November 26.

The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-politcial), while announcing their future course of action, have also given a call for Punjab bandh on December 30. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher, who is spearheading the protest, said, “Rail tracks were blocked at over 50 places in 23 districts of the state for three hours.”

A massive gathering of farmers was witnessed at Devidaspura near here where Pandher exhorted farmers to get ready for the fight against the Central Government and corporate houses. Farmers also staged protest at the railway station here due to which rail services remained crippled for three hours. The Railways rescheduled many trains due to which passengers had to face inconvenience.

“The government is trying to bring back three agricultural laws under the pretext of Agricultural Marketing Policy. The Minister of Agriculture is telling lies in parliament. Even the state government is silent,” he said.

Pandher also asked businessmen and traders to support farmers in their protest by participating in the Punjab bandh on December 30. He said all services except those of the emergency nature, would be shut.

Pandher said Ranjodh Singh of Ratanheri village near Khanna had consumed Celphos at Shambhu border due to indifferent attitude of government and died. “Ranjodh, in his last letter, had accused the Central government and Home Minister of his death. We demand from the Punjab Government to register an FIR against Home Minister on the basis of Ranjodh’s statement,” said Pandher.