BKU (Doaba) stages protest in Phagwara, submits memo over pending cane arrears

The members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Doaba led by State General Secretary Satnam Singh Sahni staged a protest outside the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Phagwara on Tuesday, demanding immediate clearance of pending sugarcane arrears and the fixation of sugarcane prices at Rs 500 per quintal for the upcoming crushing season.

Addressing the gathering, Sahni alleged that farmers have been waiting for four years for their overdue payments while the AAP-led Punjab Government has failed to take concrete measures to resolve the issue.

He also criticised the state government for allegedly delaying compensation to families affected by recent floods in Punjab. Sahni further claimed that no financial relief has been provided to farmers who lost their tractors and agricultural equipment at the Khanouri and Shambhu borders when protests were forcibly lifted earlier.

Terming the protest a “warning” to the state administration, Sahni announced that the union would intensify its agitation if the demands remain unaddressed and may block the GT Road in Jalandhar on November 21 as the next course of action.

Later, the union leaders submitted a memorandum outlining their demands to SDM Phagwara, Jashanjeet Singh. The protest concluded peacefully and the farmers dispersed at around 1.00 pm. Senior BKU Doaba leaders including Santokh Singh Lakhpur, NPress Secretary Gurpal Singh Pala and Harbhajan Bajwa were present during the protest.

Farmers warn of blocking NH, railway on Nov 21

Various farmer organisations from the district's sugarcane belt staged a vigorous protest outside the Mini Secretariat today over sugarcane dues and other demands.

The protest was led by leaders from several organisations, including Jangveer Singh Chauhan, State President of Doaba Kisan Committee Punjab, Manjit Singh Rai, State President of BKU Doaba and others.

Addressing the protest, farmer leaders said that the new sugarcane season began in November, but the Punjab government has not yet issued any notification regarding the reopening of mills. They pointed out that the outstanding dues from the previous sugarcane season have not yet been released to farmers, causing deep anger among them.

The leaders warned of blockade of the Dhannowali National Highway and railway tracks in Jalandhar on November 21st if the notification is not issued by November 20th.