Karnal lathicharge: Farmers to head for Delhi in hordes

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 31

In an apparent reaction to the recent incident of lathicharge on farmers in Haryana, the farmers’ associations have now announced to increase the participation of farmers in the ongoing protest at the Delhi borders.

Taking the lead, Kisan Sangharsh Committee (KSC) has announced to send two large groups to the Delhi border on September 5 and September 15.

KSC general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said: “During the last few days, we have held meetings in around 300 villages of the district to mobilise farmers for the Delhi protest. We will be covering the remaining villages in the next few days.”

He said Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and other BJP leaders were making politically motivated statements by holding Punjab farmers responsible for the protests in Haryana.

“Haryana CM is accusing the Punjab Government and the Punjab Government is blaming the Haryana Government. This all is politics aimed at diverting the public attention from the main issue,” he said. He said duties have been assigned to village units of the committee to prepare the roster of farmers, who would be joining the protest. Pandher said the government was trying to frighten farmers with violence. He said the state-level protest in Punjab would be initiated from September 28.

Pandher said the Punjab Government claims that all arrangements for the procurement of paddy crop have been made and farmers would not have to face any problem. “We want Capt Amarinder Singh to clarify whether he has accepted the conditions laid down by the Centre for procurement, especially regarding ‘fard’ or not,” he said, adding that other stricter conditions, too, were against farmers and would pose problem at the time of procurement.

The KSC leaders said lowering the permissible limit for moisture, discoloration and broken grains were too harsh a condition and impossible to achieve. “The government by putting in tough conditions for procurement is trying to run away from procurement and is leaving the market open for private players,” he said.

AAP burns effigies of PM modi & Haryana CM

Amritsar: Members of Aam Aadmi Party burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday to protest against the lathicharge of peacefully protesting farmers at Karnal. AAP city president Jeevan Jot Kaur said citizens have the right to protest peacefully and the Haryana Government’s action is clear violation of the rights of citizens. She said Haryana CM and Prime Minister are directly responsible for the violence on fathers, after which a farmer had succumbed to his injuries and died. Lok Sabha constituency in-charge Iqbal Singh Bhullar said the government’s attitude was dictatorial and it was using unfair means to muzzle the voices of dissent. He said AAP supports farmers’ cause and would stand with them in every situation. He said action should be taken against officials who tried to please their political bosses by unleashing violence on farmers, so that such incidents do not arise in future. Party workers gathered outside the Hall Gate also and raised slogans against the Centre and demanded that three agriculture laws be repealed. Party leaders also demanded that the SDM and police officials responsible for the violence on farmers should be dismissed and strict action should be initiated against them. District general secretary Prabhbir Singh Brar, Amritsar Rural president Harwant Singh Umranangal, Seema Sodhi, state joint secretary Ashok Talwar and others also addressed the protesters.

Protest held in Tarn Taran too

Hundreds of Aam Admi Party volunteers (pic below) lodged their strong protest against the brutal cane-charging on farmers by the Haryana Police. The protesting AAP volunteers burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar. Party’s district president Gurwinder Singh Baharwal led the protesters, while leaders of the party from different parts of the district addressed on the occasion. The leaders condemned the Union Government for not resolving farmers’ issue. The leaders called the police and the Haryana Government a dictatorial act and demanded apology from CM Khattar and adequate compensation to the families of the deceased families. OC

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