Farmers to observe May 26 as ‘black day’

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Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, May 15

On the completion of the six months of its protest at Delhi borders, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will observe May 26 as “black day” by organising protests and burning the effigy of the Union Government at village and mohalla levels across the country.

Women’s security to be ensured

The SKM will announce names of its Mahila Suraksha Samitis at all border protest sites within two days, which will look into measures to ensure safety and security of women participating in the movement. – Balbir Singh Rajewal, SKM leader

“The farmers and others supporting the agitation will also hoist black flags on their houses and vehicles on that day to register their protest against the three farm laws. We have appealed to all mass organisations, trade unions, trader and transporter outfits to hold black flag demonstrations in support of the farmers’ demands,” said Balbir Singh Rajewal, an SKM leader.

He said all border morchas would also organise huge black flag demonstrations on May 26 to make the Central government realise that farmers were firm regarding their demands and would not go back on any condition without getting the three farm laws repealed.

On women’s safety, Rajewal said the SKM would announce names of its Mahila Suraksha Samitis at all border protest sites within two days, which would look into measures to ensure safety and security of women participating in the movement.

Gurnam Singh Chaduni, another SKM leader, said farmers continued to boycott leaders of the BJP and its allies in states like Haryana. The SKM had also started full-fledged preparation for its All India Convention in which farmers and leaders from all over the country were expected to participate. Details in this respect would be announced later, he added.

Meanwhile, farmers’ organisations of Punjab have decided to fight against the alleged injustice being done to the sugarcane farmers in Punjab.

Farmer leaders Jangbir Tanda, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Manjit Singh Rai, Mukesh Chandra, Kuldip Singh Wajidpur and Balwant Singh Behramke said the support price of sugarcane had not been increased in the state for the past five years.

They demanded that at least Rs 350 per quintal (which is now Rs 310 per quintal) should be the price of sugarcane and the arrears due to sugarcane farmers should be paid to them immediately. If this is not done, Punjab would also witness permanent protest sites like at Delhi’s borders and there would be protests in front of every sugar mill, they warned.