Khaps ask Centre to reach out to Dallewal

A khap mahapanchayat organised here today asked the Centre to resolve by January 9 the crisis surrounding farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s indefinite fast, failing which it threatened to “take strong decisions”.

Punjab Farmers call for bandh today

• Farm unions have asked farmers to suspend supply of milk, vegetables and other items to cities, besides blocking roads as part of the Punjab bandh on Monday
• Commuters and residents have been advised to stay off roads and trains from 7 am to 4 pm across the state
• The bandh is in response to the call given by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the SKM (Non-political)

Representing 65 khap panchayats from across Haryana, the mahapanchayat said an all-khap congregation would be organised in Muzaffarnagar (UP) on January 9 to chart the future course if the Centre failed to resolve the farm agitation deadlock by then.

The khap leaders present at the meeting, which was held at the grain market at Baas village in Hisar district, expressed displeasure over the “lack of unity” among farmer organisations.

Former MLA and Sangwan khap chief Sombir Sangwan and Dahiya khap head Jaipal Dahiya said the khaps would not join the agitation until farmer organisations sank their differences. The duo said the SKM (Non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha must join hands first. “How will the agitation succeed if farmer unions remain divided? You (farm outfits) get together and the khaps will support you with all their might,” said Sangwan.

Kandela khap pradhan Om Prakash said they would visit Shambhu and Khanauri borders soon to facilitate dialogue between various factions. Amarjeet Mohri, the president of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), said their outfit had earlier decided against contesting elections until the agitation was over. “But a few farmer leaders entered the poll fray, which led to discord,” he said.

Shravan Singh Pandher, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti president, meanwhile, alleged that the Centre was attempting to introduce new farm laws to promote contract farming, which could “wipe out small markets”. Olympic medallist and Congress leader Bajrang Punia expressed his gratitude to the khaps for their efforts to unite farmer factions.