Farmers protest outside homes of ministers, MLAs in Amritsar district

Massive protests were held outside residences of cabinet ministers and MLAs of the ruling party in the district today on the call given by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political). The protesters were addressed by senior farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Kaka Singh Kotra, who said the gathering aims to show the resistance of people of Punjab against the atrocities committed by the Punjab Government on the Shambu and Khanauri borders.

The leaders stressed that the farmer movements demands related to the Central Government include the resolution of 12 key issues, such as the implementation of the minimum support price (MSP) guarantee law, debt relief for farmer and labourers, and increase in employment opportunities under MNREGA.

They also demanded compensation for financial losses incurred during the police crackdown on the protest at the Shambu and Khanauri borders, and action against police officials responsible for the violence.

Furthermore, the leaders called for the cancellation of MLA Gurlal Ghanour’s membership of the legislative Assembly due to his alleged involvement in the conspiracy in which goods and machines of protesting farmers were stolen from Haryana borders after the police took them in custody.

They also demanded the dismissal of SHO Harpreet Singh of Shambhu police station for his role in the violence.

The demonstrations were largely peaceful, with protestors raising slogans against the Chief Minister and the state government. Pandher said further action plans would be chalked out in upcoming meetings. The protesters also criticised the state government for increase in toll fee which was scheduled to become effective from April 1.

Unions gherao ministers’ residence in Tarn Taran district

On the call of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, hundreds of men and women activists gheraoed residence of AAP ministers and MLAs from 12 pm to 4 pm in Tarn Taran district today.

Satnam Singh Pannu, state leader, and Satnam Singh Manochahal, district president, of the of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) were among others who addressed protesters on the occasion.

Farmer union activists gheraoed residence of Laljit Singh Bhullar in Patti, Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal in Tarn Taran, Manjinder Singh Lalpura in Lalpur village and Sarwan Singh Dhunn in Khemkaran.

Leaders in their respective address condemned alleged brutalities committed on protesting farmers sitting at the morcha on the Shambhu and Khanauri borders by the Punjab Police on March 19.

Leaders demanded cancelation of the Assembly membership of MLA Gurlal Ghnaur who was allegedly involved in stealing machinery worth crore of rupees. Leaders demanded compensation for the damage to the machinery which was lying on the morcha site.

They warned that in case their demands were not met, farmer unions would be left with no other option than to intensify their agitation.