Farmers take out tractor rally in Karnal, Kaithal; stage dharna

Tribune Reporters

Karnal, February 26

Hundreds of farmers, under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), took out a tractor procession on Monday and parked them on one side of NH-44. They staged a dharna outside Karneshwar Mandir for around two hours.

A large number of police personnel and jawans of paramilitary forces were present to ensure law and order. The farmers have been protesting to press for their demands, including a law ensuring guarantee of MSP, justice to Lakhimpur Kheri victims and Punjab’s young farmer who died allegedly due to police action at the Khanauri border, among others. The farmers also observed ‘Quit WTO Day’, highlighting their dissatisfaction with international policies which were not good for farmers.

Earlier, farmers took out a march towards NH-44. They parked their tractors on the highway towards Delhi. Bhupinder Singh Ladi, state secretary, BKU (Tikait), said the farmers had expressed their opposition by parking their tractors on the highway.

He said the Centre had promised to farmers to fulfil their demands, but no step had been taken to fulfil their demands. Bahadur Singh Mehla, spokesperson, BKU (Sir Chhotu Ram), said, “Farmers should be allowed to go to Delhi to raise their demands. All demands of the farmers are genuine and must be fulfilled,” he said.

Meanwhile, the farmers also took out a procession on tractors in Kaithal district to highlight their issues. Farmer leader Hoshiar Singh Gill said they took out the procession from Shimla village to Kalayat town after passing through various villages.

Show of strength

Hisar: Farmers showcased their strength by bringing their tractors on the highways in Jind, Hisar, Bhiwani, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts. However, the march was peaceful and there was no road blockade.

Farmers in Sirsa and Fatehabad districts also carried out a march on NH-9. In Bhiwani, farmers carried out tractor marches on NH-148B. BKU (Charuni) leader Rakesh Arya said, “We have no intention to harass common people or to confront the authorities”, he said.

Compensation sought

Palwal: Farmers in over 150 tractors took out a rally. Dharam Chand, president, district unit of the SKM, said the government should bear the cost of damages to over 100 tractors involved in the agitation.

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