Carrying photos, families of deceased farmers protest

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, January 5

Braving the cold weather, family members of debt-ridden farmers who had committed suicide today protested with their photos to “expose” the state government on the fifth day of their dharna in front of banks across the state.

“My husband committed suicide after he failed to repay Rs 5 lakh loan he had taken from a commission agent for agriculture purpose. My family has not received any waiver. I have come with his photo to expose the false claims of the government on loan waiver,” said Gurmeet Kaur from Chhajli village.

Farmers have been sitting on dharna in front of various banks at the district headquarters across the state. Their main demands include return of blank cheques taken by banks from farmers at the time of issuance of loans, complete loan waiver and Rs 10 lakh financial aid and government jobs to the relatives of farmers, who committed suicide.

Another elderly Jagir Kaur said, “We know no one is serious about our plight, but we are ready for a long fight.”

The protesters said they voted for the Congress as Capt Amarinder Singh had promised complete debt waiver. “But after becoming the CM, he has forgotten the promise,” they alleged.

“Like me all are feeling betrayed by the state Congress. First the government changed its policy of complete debt waiver and announced a waiver of Rs 2 lakh only. However, even Rs 2 lakh waiver has not been given to all,” alleged Balwinder Kaur.

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, chief of the BKU Ugrahan, said both state and Central governments were working to favour industrial houses and never thought about farmers’ welfare.

“We will intensify our agitation in coming days if the government and banks failed to accept our demands. The resentment among farmers against banks and state government is growing every day,” he said.