Farmers refuse to budge, want cancellation of FIRs

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 21

The protest by members of the BKU (Ekta) Ugrahan entered its second day here on Tuesday. Demanding cancellation of FIRs registered against farmers for stubble burning, the union members have been protesting outside the Deputy Commissioner office for two days. Besides, they have also been demanding withdrawal of all ‘Red Circle’ entries in the revenue record of farmers.

Accusing them of adopting ant-farmer and labour policies, the protesters raised slogans against the Centre and the state government.

Addressing the protesters, district president of the union Shingara Singh Mann said, “The Centre and the state government are urging farmers to sow maize, cotton, pulses and basmati instead of paddy, but the latter have not got proper price of their produce. Moreover, government agencies show less interest in procuring their produce.”

On pollution due to stubble burning, Mann said, “Many experts and scientists are of the view that bricks and power should be produced with the help of stubble. But, the government is not providing any alternate solution to the problem.”

Senior vice-president of the union Mothu Singh Kotra said, “Many states have provided machines and equipment to farmers so as to ensure that agricultural residue is stored and managed in an eco-friendly manner. However, no such equipment is provided to the farmers who were booked under Section 188 of the IPC in Punjab. Machines, including happy seeder, should be provided free of cost to the farmers having between two acres and five acres.”

The protesters said if the government had not been able to provide them compensation and equipment to deal with stubble, why were cases registered against them? They said hefty fine is also being recovered from them.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.