Protests against fuel price hike across Punjab

Patiala/Bathinda, July 8

On a call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, farmers held protests against the central government over the hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and gas cylinders across the state on Thursday.

Carrying gas cylinders on their shoulders with banners of farm unions in their hands, the protesters gathered at Samana, Patran, Patiala (urban), Patiala (rural), Nabha and Sanaur in Patiala district against the hike in prices.

A farmer said, “We have gathered outside the office of the district administrative complex in Patiala in protest against excessive hike in the prices of commodities. We parked our vehicles on roadsides without obstructing the traffic.” Ranjit Singh Swajpur, Patiala president of the BKU (Krantikari), said, “The central government, with legislation such as the three farm laws, is working in the interest of corporate houses. People are getting poor as they have been rendered jobless.” In Fatehgarh Sahib, farmers led by local SKM leaders protested by making human chains on the GT road in Sirhind, Mandi Gobindgarh, Amloh, Bassi Pathana and Khamano towns.

Similar protests were held in Bathinda and Mansa districts. Farmers from the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) gathered at main roads in different locations on tractors, motorcycles, cars and jeeps and raised slogans against the Union Government.

Harjinder Singh, a leader of the union, said, “With barely any control by the government, private companies are increasing the rates of petrol, diesel and gas cylinders time and again. Income sources of common man have shrunk after lockdowns were imposed but the government, instead of providing any relief, has resorted to hiking prices of petrol, diesel and other essential commodities thereby burdening people financially.” In Abohar, farm unions organised protests on the Abohar-Malout stretch of the NH-10 and Khuyiansarwer on NH-15 and slammed the central government for the unabated increase in the prices of LPG and other petroleum products. In Amritsar district, farmers parked their tractors, cars, two-wheelers, combine harvesters and other agricultural implements on roadsides at Rayya, Mehta, Mannawala, Nawa Pind, Kathunagal, Majitha, Attari, Ajnala, Chogawan, India Gate, Golden Gate and other places as a mark of protest. — TNS

Two debt-ridden farmers kill self

• A 36-year-old farmer allegedly died by hanging himself in the fields at Mahuana village in Muktsar on Thursday. The deceased, Baljit Singh, was reportedly under a huge debt
• In Sangrur, Balkar, a 35-year-old debt-ridden farmer, allegedly ended his life by consuming a poisonous substance at Bhutal Kalan village

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