Jamhoori Kisan Sabha announces toll plaza stir across Punjab on July 22

The Jamhoori Kisan Sabha held a meeting to discuss its ongoing campaign against the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement and the Punjab Government’s new land pooling policy and announced a protest at toll plazas across the state on July 22.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, state president of the sabha, along with state committee member Kulwant Singh Mallunangal, said the proposed free trade agreement would severely affect Indian agriculture, threaten food security and adversely impact small retailers.

The leaders announced that farmers and labourers would stage protests at toll plazas across Punjab, including Chhidan, Jandiala Guru and Kathunangal in the district, on July 22. The toll plazas will remain open for the general public from 12 noon to 3 pm. They claimed that thousands of farmers and labourers are expected to participate in the demonstrations.

Farmer leaders Surjit Singh Bhure Gill, Balkar Singh Gulgadh and Rajinder Singh Bhalla said the protest would also press for the withdrawal of the Electricity Bill and Seed Bill 2026, waiver of loans taken by farmers and labourers, and a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, including basmati.

Senior labour leader Gurnam Singh Umarpura demanded that the working day for labourers be limited to eight hours instead of 12 and called for the repeal of the four labour codes.

The meeting also passed a resolution urging farmers to participate in large numbers in the state-level rally being organised by the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha in Jalandhar on September 20. Several farmer and labour leaders from different villages attended the meeting.