Farm unions to reunite, launch nationwide movement
Awareness campaign against India-US trade deal, MSP demand in focus
The All India Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (AIKMM) has decided to intensify efforts to reunite farmer unions across the country and launch a nationwide movement against the alleged “anti-farmer” policies of the Central Government.
The decision was taken at a two-day national-level meeting of the Morcha held in Kurukshetra, which concluded on Wednesday. Farmer leaders and coordinators from Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu participated in the deliberations.
BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) president Amarjeet Singh Mohri said, “A two-day meeting was held in Kurukshetra to discuss the issues being faced by the farmers, and wrong policies of the Central Government. Representatives and members from different states shared the issues and experiences from their respective regions. It was observed that there is a need to reunite the farmers' unions to launch a massive nationwide campaign. We will hold discussions with the farmer leaders of other unions and call upon them to join the struggle.”
He added, “An awareness drive will also be launched across the country to garner support for the nationwide movement against the India-US trade deal, and press for pending demands including the legal guarantee of MSP, restoration of MGNREGA, and protest against the new labour laws.”
Raising concerns over the ongoing wheat procurement season, Mohri said, “The government should ensure a smooth wheat procurement process. It must ensure that the farmers don’t face any inconvenience due to the new biometric system and portals of the state government, otherwise the unions will be forced to take strict action.”
Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “Currently, the India-US trade deal is the biggest concern for the farmers… The government should also ensure a smooth supply of fertilisers, otherwise it will affect the production in the country.”
The Morcha announced a national meeting in Madhya Pradesh on May 30-31, followed by a regional convention on June 1, with state-level conventions planned across the country.
