BKU activists hold protest, seek waiver of farm debt

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 7

Members of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU Dakaunda) held a protest, seeking waiver of debt of all farmers in the state and fulfillment of other demands at the Passiana overbridge here today. The protest was held outside the Passiana police station while the district administration had enforced Section 144.

Leaders of the union attacked the state government, alleging that it had not acted as per its assurances of waiving all loans of farmers which were still pending.

Sucha Singh, district general secretary of the union, said: “Our demands are based on promises made by Congress leaders during the Assembly elections, including waiver of complete loans and giving jobs to every household in the state.”

The leaders said the government had assured to eliminate ‘kurki’ which was still prevalent.

“They announced they would eliminate ‘Kurki’, but nothing has been done in this regard as well,” said Sucha.

State organising secretary of the union Darshan Pal said: “The government should take steps to manage the stray cattle menace in the state. Farmers in the state had not been given ownership of common land given to them after the Partition. 

We demand the rights should also be given to them at the earliest.”