Crowds swell at Tikri border

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, June 21

The number of elderly men and women has gone up at the Tikri border as young farmers have returned to Punjab for paddy cultivation. A majority of them will return after June 30 but, till then, elderly persons will hold the fort.

“The entire family of farmers is contributing to the protest. As my son has returned home to sow paddy, it is my turn to make a contribution. It is the second time that I have come to Tikri in the past six months,” said Surjeet Kaur of Mansa (Punjab).

“Agriculture is the only source of livelihood for farmers. So work in the fields is as important as the protest. The struggle against the three farm laws will continue for a long time, hence many farmers have gone to Punjab for paddy cultivation. In this context, it was decided that elderly persons should participate in the protest till the time we return,” Pragat Singh, a leader of the BKU (Rajewal), told The Tribune over phone.

He has gone to his native village Talwandi Nepalan in Ferozepur district for paddy sowing. “Those who have returned to Punjab have sent one or two members of their families to Tikri to keep up the momentum,” said Singh.

Purushottam Singh Gill, a senior leader of the BKU (Lakhowal), claimed not all young farmers had returned home. “Some have stayed back to serve elderly men and women,” he added. 

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